<p>The individual effects of N deposition and changes in precipitation pattern (PC) on soil microbial community composition and activity have been extensively studied, but the combined effects of the two global change factors have rarely been detected. We conducted a randomized complete block experiment (<i>n</i> = 4) in a subtropical forest to reveal how soil enzyme kinetics and microbial composition would respond to N addition (100&#xa0;kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and shift in the seasonal precipitation pattern (PC: − 67% dry-season precipitation offset by wet-season increases) for two years. Nitrogen and PC interactions significantly affected gram-positive bacteria, actinobacteria, and fungi biomass in the dry season but had limited effects on enzyme activities or kinetics. The fungal to bacterial biomass (F: B) ratio decreased under PC during dry seasons, while the ratio of gram-positive to gram-negative bacterial biomass (G⁺: G⁻) increased. Nitrogen addition elevated the maximum activity (<i>V</i>_<i>max</i>) and substrate affinity (<i>K</i>_<i>m</i>) of β-glucosidase (BG), chitinase (NAG), and acid phosphatase (ACP). Precipitation reduction raised BG <i>V</i>_<i>max</i> and <i>K</i>_<i>m</i> but reduced those of ACP during the dry season. Overall, reductions in precipitation affected the composition of microbial community and enzyme kinetic properties during the dry season, primarily due to energy and water limitations. In contrast, increases in precipitation had minimal effects. Changes in N deposition influenced the composition of main microbial groups and enzyme kinetics in the wet season, as these were more sensitive to carbon and phosphorus limitations. Our study identifies the critical role of resource availability throughout different seasons in shaping the composition of main microbial groups under environmental changes in subtropical forests.</p>