Meaning of 的 in 真的?

Question

Question:

• Is the 的 in 真的 a modal 的 [see resources.allsetlearning.com]?
• How does 的 change 真? Does it bring some emphasis?
• I guess the purpose of 的 in 真的 is the same as in 好的 or 有的? See Is each 的 in 有的 and 好的，到时候会有人接机的 a modal particle? Though there they didn't explain the purpose of 的 in 好的 or 有的. Is it just an emphasis to the sentence?

[This question might be related also to Use of 真的 as adverb ]

Answer 1

In Chinese grammar, 的 can either be:

• particle used in Modifier-Head construct. e.g. adjective acting word + 的 + noun acting word.
• possessive particle. e.g. A的B, meaning A's B.
• particle used in Adverbial-Head construct. e.g. adverb-acting word + 的 + verb acting word.
• particle used to strengthen tone at the end of a sentence.

Since 真 used in this context is unlikely to be a noun, unless they are talking about X of truth. But then by convention the word 真實 would be used.

Therefore, 真 is a modifier/adverbial in this sense, describing the quality of the head.

---

Here are some examples:

    這   是   真   的    勞力士。 (A more literal translation: This is real Rolex)
1. \S/  \-----Predicate-----/
2.      \P/  \----Object----/       P: Predicator
3.           \M/  的    \Head/      M: Modifier  

A: 聽說你辭職了。這是真的嗎？       A: I heard you resigned. Is this real? (Normally in English, one might say: "Did you really?" instead)
B: 真   的    (辭職了)。          B: Yes, it is. (A more literal translation: It is real resignation.)
  \M/   的     \Head/

The head is implied in this example, so we need to fill back in the details for the analysis.

    他   真   的   來   了。           He really came.
1. \S/  \---Predicate---/
2.      \A/  的   \H/  了             A: Adverbial    H: Head

Answer 2

Don't have to be explained as adv. Personally I still treated it as adj.

"我真的要走了"

"我要走了, 这是真的"

"我要走了, 这是真的（事）"

it is true that I am leaving.

Answer 3

Well, here is an explanation of the character 真 (may or may not be accurate)：

Character decomposition 字形分解 [?]: Component 真 older 眞

from (rem- 十 shí) from

person-facing-right-bi 匕 bǐ and

(rem- 具 jù) from

container-ding 鼎 dǐng.

(name- ding-truth-zhen 真眞 zhēn)

Decomposition notes 字形分解说明 [?]: (- a person 匕 swaring [sic] over a 鼎 dǐng, must be real and true)

Thus the meaning of 真 is more 'true, real' You swore this over some sacred 'ding'. Ancient voodoo!

really: c. 1400, originally in reference to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist,

really is 'real = true, genuine' + 'lic = body'

Meaning: 'the real body of Christ is in the Eucharist.' Catholic voodoo!

我真要走了。
I true want go.
I truly wish to leave.

Reminds me of 'very'.

Western Grammar will tell you 'very' is an "adverb of degree", but very comes directly from Old French 'verai' and Latin 'verax' = true, right, truthful.

In Chinese you can say: 我妈， 我爸 which is no different to 我的妈， 我的爸。

What does 的 mean?

No meaning, it just aids rhythm and punctuation, it aids clarity of speech by separating words which otherwise might be misconstrued. I think it must have first been used in spoken language.