Usually speaking, the subject and object are not acted by a single word in Chinese language, but is composed of nominal phrase. In this case, the attribute should be the modifier of the nominal phrase, being acted by adjectives, nouns, pronouns and relevant phrases of those words. It is the element placed before the center word to limit or explain. As a result, the foreigners may hear the definition that the attribute is the modifying part before the nouns when they learn in free Chinese lessons. But some teachers wonder the accuracy of this kind of definition.

You might have learned that the nouns in Chinese language are usually modified by the attribute. For example, 我们学校的规定很严格. But one thing you should realize is that the verb and adjective can be also modified by the attribute except for the noun. Accordingly, you can make sentences like 他的到来让我们团里活力倍增and表面的冷漠掩盖不住内心的狂热.

After the May Fourth Movement in China, Chinese language was affected by the languages in western countries. As a result, the personal pronouns began to be modified by the attribute. But much attention should be paid to the point that the character 的is needed to be placed after attribute. For instance, 火车终于还是走了，眼泪模糊中，我向站在月台上的她挥着手. Students in HSK preparation program in China would tell you the saying that the personal pronouns modified by attribute is just a saying with Europe style. It is seen only in written language and seldom use in oral Chinese.

According to the introduction above, we can‘t just say attribute is the modifying element before nouns. Then, you may ask which kind of words can act as attribute. The most frequently seen should be noun, adjective, state adjective and pronouns. You can say 他只喜欢看爱情小说and那边站着一位时髦的姑娘 and我们的老师很热情. In addition, onomatopoetic words and verbs can also function as attribute. In Chinese language, almost all kinds of phrases can be the attribute like 他是一位崇明美丽的姑娘.