<p>both are ok. in real practice, I will read them slightly different. I may put a very short pause in the middle of 自由-翱翔, whereas I will read it directly through for 自由的翱翔. but that really doesn't matter in terms of its meaning and other effects (beautiful or polite). what will make it more attractive is the way you read it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-31T04:26:09.670Z
2017-07-31T04:26:09.670Z
dan
<p>They are literally same.</p>

<p>The difference is subtle, 的 splits the adjective and noun, make the adjective/ noun stand out from the whole phrase.</p>

<p>Anytime you want to add more weight to the adjective/ noun , add 的.  If you want to be more concise or rhythmically with other phrase , omit 的.</p>

<p>For example:</p>

<p>我在仰望, 自由翱翔</p>

<p>Omit 的 is better, since the first phrase is 4 characters.</p>

<p>我在仰望, 月亮之上</p>

<p>有多少梦想, 在自由的翱翔</p>

<p>Here with 的, you can emphasis 自由 or 翱翔. And If you want to omit 的,  you can, it's a personal choice.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-31T11:59:25.780Z
2017-07-31T12:08:52.827Z
2017-07-31T12:08:52.827Z
sfy
<blockquote>
  <p>This answer explains in an East Asian way</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It is a common usage in East Asia, "<strong>topic indicator</strong>", you can call it. 
Although it can vary a lot structurally, (the specific usages may confuse you, ) the purpose are actually quite similar, to make the structure clearer and so that you can stress some part of your sentence. 
And to some extent, Because tones are used for distinguish meanings, a few "indicator" word are special replacement for these "**tone-based **" structure. </p>

<p>Anyways, (if you prefer a short version),  the difference here(with or without 的) are usually expressed in different tones in English. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-01T06:47:46.140Z
2017-08-01T06:52:58.577Z
2017-08-01T06:52:58.577Z
Volgaski Wang
<p>If translated literally, your two phrases would be fly freely and freedom's flying. In this case (the way I'm interpreting it), the 的 functions as a bit of a possessive. If you meant 地, which in this case would turn the 自由 into an adverb (freely instead of free or freedom), then there isn't much of a difference in meaning. However, the four letter phrase is a common trend in Chinese and is often associated with more poetic and metaphorical statements, so would be more beautiful, yes.</p>

<p>(If you are confused about the finer details of the 的、得、地 grammatical construct, in general 得 is used between adverb and verb when the verb is first, and 地 in the reverse situation, while 的 is usually between adjective and noun.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-31T01:44:06.610Z
2017-07-31T01:44:06.610Z
alpha-tetramer
<p>Are the <strong>literal</strong> translations of the two phrases the same?</p>

<p>If they have the <strong>same meaning</strong>, why would people use '的' in a phrase like this? Would it make a phrase more polite or beautiful?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-30T18:13:08.507Z
look up grammar on when 的 between adjectives used attributively and nouns is obligatory, optional or must not be used (search site for previous discussion), 翱翔 also is a verb and accordingly 自由 could function as adverb, in which case the question is whether or not to use 地
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-30T18:27:55.570Z
This incorrect usage of `的` is common probably because of pinyin input methods. Many just type `de` and choose whatever's in the first place(which is usually `的`).
Cnly
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-30T19:25:20.507Z
＂外国人实用汉语语法＂，定语和结构助词＂的＂３。下列情况用不用＂的＂都可以：。。。形容词：双音词修饰双音词，举例：丰富（的）生活，痛苦（的）回忆。web search of 自由的翱翔 and 自由翱翔 (jukuu currently unavailable) shows that 自由翱翔 may have become standard by long time use, however there also is  自由的翱翔吧！！！動漫(动漫) comics
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-31T08:09:29.703Z
Using "的" in such case is a poor command of Mandarin. It is grammatically correct but illogical if without previous context to support it.
mootmoot
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-02T02:12:35.070Z
"自由的翱翔" can only be interpreted as "flying" (a noun). but '自由翱翔' is confusable, without context it can be 'flys' (a verb) or 'flying ' (a noun).
Daniel Yang
<translation><grammar><meaning><difference><meaning-in-context>
The use of '的', please explain to me what is the difference between '自由翱翔' and '自由的翱翔'?
# The use of '的', please explain to me what is the difference between '自由翱翔' and '自由的翱翔'?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-30)

Are the **literal** translations of the two phrases the same?

If they have the **same meaning**, why would people use '的' in a phrase like this? Would it make a phrase more polite or beautiful?

**Tags:** translation, grammar, meaning, difference, meaning-in-context

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: look up grammar on when 的 between adjectives used attributively and nouns is obligatory, optional or must not be used (search site for previous discussion), 翱翔 also is a verb and accordingly 自由 could function as adverb, in which case the question is whether or not to use 地  
> **username_2**: This incorrect usage of `的` is common probably because of pinyin input methods. Many just type `de` and choose whatever's in the first place(which is usually `的`).  
> **username_1**: ＂外国人实用汉语语法＂，定语和结构助词＂的＂３。下列情况用不用＂的＂都可以：。。。形容词：双音词修饰双音词，举例：丰富（的）生活，痛苦（的）回忆。web search of 自由的翱翔 and 自由翱翔 (jukuu currently unavailable) shows that 自由翱翔 may have become standard by long time use, however there also is  自由的翱翔吧！！！動漫(动漫) comics  
> **username_3**: Using "的" in such case is a poor command of Mandarin. It is grammatically correct but illogical if without previous context to support it.  
> **username_4**: "自由的翱翔" can only be interpreted as "flying" (a noun). but '自由翱翔' is confusable, without context it can be 'flys' (a verb) or 'flying ' (a noun).  

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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_8 on 2017-07-31. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

If translated literally, your two phrases would be fly freely and freedom's flying. In this case (the way I'm interpreting it), the 的 functions as a bit of a possessive. If you meant 地, which in this case would turn the 自由 into an adverb (freely instead of free or freedom), then there isn't much of a difference in meaning. However, the four letter phrase is a common trend in Chinese and is often associated with more poetic and metaphorical statements, so would be more beautiful, yes.

(If you are confused about the finer details of the 的、得、地 grammatical construct, in general 得 is used between adverb and verb when the verb is first, and 地 in the reverse situation, while 的 is usually between adjective and noun.)


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### Answer by username_5 on 2017-07-31. Score: 1

both are ok. in real practice, I will read them slightly different. I may put a very short pause in the middle of 自由-翱翔, whereas I will read it directly through for 自由的翱翔. but that really doesn't matter in terms of its meaning and other effects (beautiful or polite). what will make it more attractive is the way you read it.


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### Answer by username_6 on 2017-07-31. Score: 1

They are literally same.

The difference is subtle, 的 splits the adjective and noun, make the adjective/ noun stand out from the whole phrase.

Anytime you want to add more weight to the adjective/ noun , add 的. If you want to be more concise or rhythmically with other phrase , omit 的.

For example:

我在仰望, 自由翱翔

Omit 的 is better, since the first phrase is 4 characters.

我在仰望, 月亮之上

有多少梦想, 在自由的翱翔

Here with 的, you can emphasis 自由 or 翱翔. And If you want to omit 的, you can, it's a personal choice.


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### Answer by username_7 on 2017-08-01. Score: 0

> This answer explains in an East Asian way

It is a common usage in East Asia, "**topic indicator**", you can call it.
Although it can vary a lot structurally, (the specific usages may confuse you, ) the purpose are actually quite similar, to make the structure clearer and so that you can stress some part of your sentence.
And to some extent, Because tones are used for distinguish meanings, a few "indicator" word are special replacement for these "\*\*tone-based \*\*" structure.

Anyways, (if you prefer a short version), the difference here(with or without 的) are usually expressed in different tones in English.


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