Sentences with 是
"是"字句
Use 是 for identity, description, and existence
是 links two nouns or identifies what something is. It works for identity, classification, emphasis, and even describing locations. But remember — it is NOT used with adjectives!
是 is not the same as English "is." It only links nouns, never adjectives. "She is pretty" = 她很漂亮 (NOT 她是漂亮).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Sentences with 是 ("是"字句)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the "是"字句 pattern
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Understanding "是"字句
是 (shì) looks like it should be "is" or "am" — and sometimes it is! But here's the critical rule: 是 only connects nouns to nouns. "He IS a teacher" uses 是 (他是老师). "He IS tall" does NOT use 是 (他很高). This one rule trips up every beginner, but once you get it, everything clicks. Let's explore the three main uses of 是 and forever banish the "是 + adjective" mistake! Think of 是 as an equals sign (=) that only works between nouns: 他 = 老师, 这 = 我的书. When you want to describe something with an adjective, put away 是 and reach for 很 instead.
Key Points
- Identity: 他是我的老师。(Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.) — He is my teacher. (Noun = Noun)
- Description with 是…的: 花是白的。(Huā shì bái de.) — The flowers are white. (Emphasizing a quality)
- Location/existence: 车站东边是一个学校。(Chēzhàn dōngbiān shì yī gè xuéxiào.) — East of the station is a school.
- NEVER use 是 before a bare adjective. 她是漂亮 is WRONG. Say 她很漂亮.
- Negate with 不是: 他不是医生。(Tā bù shì yīshēng.) — He is not a doctor.
- The 是…的 structure emphasizes WHEN, WHERE, or HOW something happened: 你是什么时候来的？(When did you come?)
- Use 是不是 as a tag question to confirm: 你是中国人，是不是？(You're Chinese, right?)
- Remember: 是 can also mean "yes" in short answers — 是 or 是的 both mean "Yes, that's right."
The phrase 是的 (shì de) is a common affirmative response, similar to "Yes, that's right." It's more formal than just 对 (duì). In business settings, 是的 shows respect and attentiveness.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他是我的老师。
He is my teacher.
Identity: Noun 是 Noun
花是白的。
The flowers are white.
是…的 pattern for describing qualities
车站东边是一个学校。
East of the station is a school.
Location/existence with 是
这不是我的书。
This is not my book.
Negation with 不是
我是在北京学的中文。
It was in Beijing that I learned Chinese.
是…的 for emphasis on circumstance
这是什么？
What is this?
是 in questions — asking for identity
我是坐飞机来的。
I came by plane.
是…的 emphasizing HOW — travel conversation
她是我在学校认识的朋友。
She is a friend I met at school.
Identity with complex noun phrase — introducing friends
这家是我常去的餐厅。
This is the restaurant I often go to.
Identity with relative clause — recommending a restaurant
你是不是医生？
Are you a doctor?
A-not-A question pattern with 是 — at the hospital
Common Mistakes
THE golden rule: 是 does NOT go before adjectives. Use 很 (or 太, 真, 非常) instead. 是 only connects nouns.
Even with 很, don't use 是 before adjectives. Remove 是 entirely for adjective predicates.
One 是 is enough! 不是 already negates. Don't double the 是.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
The number one rule: 是 + NOUN (yes!), 是 + ADJECTIVE (no!). Repeat it until it's automatic.
When translating English "is," ask yourself: is the word after "is" a noun or an adjective? Noun → use 是. Adjective → use 很.
The pattern 是…的 is a powerful tool for emphasis — it highlights when, where, or how something happened: 你是什么时候来的？
Think of 是 as an equals sign: A = B. Both sides must be nouns. 他 = 老师 works, but 他 = 高 doesn't — because 高 is an adjective, not a noun.
Here's a tricky case: 她是很漂亮的女生 IS correct because 很漂亮的女生 is a complete noun phrase. The 是 connects to the whole package "pretty girl," not just to the adjective.
Homework
Write ten sentences — five using 是 correctly (identity, existence, 是…的) and five using adjective predicates without 是. Label each one. Example: 她是医生。(是 = identity) / 她很忙。(adjective predicate, no 是)