Discussion of 别的/別的 [bié de] other, another; something else

Discussion of 别的/別的

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In this post, we compare two pronouns: 别的 and 其他。
They have similar meanings and are used in almost the same ways. There are only some slight differences:

1. They can both be used before a noun. When they appear before a noun, 的 after 其他 is optional; but 的 cannot be used after 别的:
其他＋ (的) ＋ Noun: E.g. 这个款式有其他(的)颜色吗？ [phr] Are there any other colors of this style?
别的＋Noun: E.g. 这个款式有别的颜色吗？

2. They can both be used alone as the subject or object of a sentence. But when being the object of a sentence, 其他 has to be followed by 的.
E.g. 我现在没有时间想别的，必须先做完这项工作。 [phr] Now I do not have the time to think of other things, (because) I must firs finish this work.
If we use 其他 in the sentence above, we need to add 的: “我现在没有时间想其他的，……”

3. 其他 can be followed by a measure word-numeral phrase, but 别的 cannot be used in this way.
E.g. 我把这二十个生词背下来了，其他几个明天再说。 [phr] I have memorized these twenty new words, leaving the others (new words) to tomorrow.

lisaC

另 versus 别的:

1. 另 (pronoun) means "other, another". 别的 (phrase) has the same meaning. They are used differently. 另 cannot be followed by 的 and it must be followed by a quantity. 别的 can be followed directly by a noun without specifying any quantity:
- 另一个人 another person, the other person
- 别的人 another person, other peoples

2. 别的 (phrase) can also be used as a noun. In this case it's translated as "something else". 另 cannot be used in this way.
E.g. 你试试别的吧。You may try something else.

3. 另 can be an adverb meaning "in addition". 别的 does not have this usage.

lisaC

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