是

shì: 是 - To be, Is, Am, Are, Yes

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 是, shì, Chinese verb to be, is am are in Chinese, how to use shi, yes in Chinese, shì bu shì, 不是, Chinese grammar, HSK 1, learn Chinese to be, linking verb Chinese
  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 是 (shì), the equivalent of the English verb “to be” (is, am, are). This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use 是 to link nouns, form questions like 是不是 (shì bu shì), and say “yes.” We'll cover its core grammar, common mistakes (like using it with adjectives), and provide numerous example sentences to help you master this fundamental HSK 1 character.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shì
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 1
  • Concise Definition: To be (is, am, are); to exist; yes, that's right.
  • In a Nutshell: 是 (shì) is one of the first and most important verbs you'll learn in Chinese. Its primary job is to connect two nouns, establishing an identity or equality, like saying “He is a doctor.” It acts as a simple equals sign (=). It's also a straightforward way to affirm something or answer “yes” to a question. Crucially, unlike in English, 是 is almost never used before an adjective; you don't say “I am happy,” you say “I very happy.”

Character Breakdown

  • 是 (shì): The character is a combination of 日 (rì) on top, meaning “sun,” and 正 (zhèng) on the bottom, meaning “correct” or “straight.” You can think of it as “that which is correct under the sun.” This original meaning of “correctness” or “this” naturally evolved into its modern use for affirming a statement (“that is correct” → “yes”) and defining an identity (“this is that”).

Cultural Context and Significance

  • Categorization over State of Being: The use of 是 (shì) reveals a fundamental difference between Chinese and English grammar. English uses the verb “to be” for both identity (“She is a teacher”) and description (“She is tall”). Chinese splits these functions. 是 is reserved almost exclusively for identity and categorization (Noun A is Noun B).
  • Contrast with English “to be”: For descriptions, Chinese uses adverbs, most commonly 很 (hěn), which literally means “very.” A beginner might translate “I am happy” as “我是高兴 (wǒ shì gāoxìng),” which is incorrect. The correct, natural phrasing is “我很高兴 (wǒ hěn gāoxìng),” which feels like “I very happy.” This isn't about being *very* happy; 很 simply fills the grammatical void left by the absence of 是 before an adjective. This reflects a linguistic tendency to state a description as a complete fact rather than linking the subject to a state of being with a verb.
  • Direct Affirmation: While English has many ways to agree (“yep,” “sure,” “that's right”), 是 (shì) or 是的 (shì de) is a very direct and clear “yes.” It confirms the truth of a statement. However, in conversation, it's often more natural to affirm by repeating the verb from the question, a nuance that distinguishes a fluent speaker.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • As the Verb “to be” (Noun = Noun): This is its most common use. The structure is simple: `Subject + 是 + Noun`.
    • e.g., 我是学生。(Wǒ shì xuéshēng.) - I am a student.
  • To Say “Yes”: When asked a question that contains 是, the simplest way to answer “yes” is to just say 是 or 是的 (shì de).
    • e.g., Q: 你是不是老师？ (Nǐ shì bu shì lǎoshī?) A: 是。(Shì.)
  • In A-not-A Questions (`是不是`): This is an extremely common way to form a yes/no question. It literally means “is or is not?”
    • e.g., 他是不是你哥哥？(Tā shì bu shì nǐ gēge?) - Is he your older brother or not?
  • For Emphasis (`是…的` construction): The 是…的 (shì…de) structure is used to emphasize details (like time, place, or manner) of a completed action. 是 is placed before the detail you want to stress.
    • e.g., 我是昨天来的。(Wǒ shì zuótiān lái de.) - I came yesterday. (Emphasizing *when* I came).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我是美国人。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ shì Měiguó rén.
    • English: I am American.
    • Analysis: A classic `Subject + 是 + Noun` sentence structure, establishing identity.
  • Example 2:
    • 这不是我的书。
    • Pinyin: Zhè bú shì wǒ de shū.
    • English: This is not my book.
    • Analysis: Shows the negative form, 不是 (bú shì). Note the tone change of 不 (bù) to (bú) when it comes before a 4th tone character like 是 (shì).
  • Example 3:
    • A: 他是医生吗？ (Tā shì yīshēng ma?)
    • B: 是的，他是医生。(Shì de, tā shì yīshēng.)
    • Pinyin: A: Tā shì yīshēng ma? B: Shì de, tā shì yīshēng.
    • English: A: Is he a doctor? B: Yes, he is a doctor.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates using 是 in a `吗 (ma)` question and answering with the common affirmative phrase 是的 (shì de).
  • Example 4:
    • 你是不是喜欢喝咖啡？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì xǐhuān hē kāfēi?
    • English: Do you like to drink coffee? (Literally: Is it that you like to drink coffee?)
    • Analysis: Here, 是不是 is used to turn a statement (“You like to drink coffee”) into a question. It adds a sense of seeking confirmation.
  • Example 5:
    • 重要的不是结果，是过程。
    • Pinyin: Zhòngyào de bú shì jiéguǒ, shì guòchéng.
    • English: The important thing is not the result, it's the process.
    • Analysis: A more complex sentence showing how 是 can be used to contrast two ideas or clarify a point.
  • Example 6:
    • 我是坐飞机来的。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ shì zuò fēijī lái de.
    • English: I came by plane.
    • Analysis: This is an example of the 是…的 (shì…de) construction, emphasizing the *manner* in which the action was completed (by plane).
  • Example 7:
    • A: 这是你的吗？ (Zhè shì nǐ de ma?)
    • B: 是。 (Shì.)
    • Pinyin: A: Zhè shì nǐ de ma? B: Shì.
    • English: A: Is this yours? B: Yes.
    • Analysis: A simple, direct, and common use of 是 as a one-word affirmative answer.
  • Example 8:
    • 唯一的解释就是他忘了。
    • Pinyin: Wéiyī de jiěshì jiù shì tā wàng le.
    • English: The only explanation is that he forgot.
    • Analysis: Shows 是 being used to link a noun phrase (“the only explanation”) to an entire clause (“he forgot”).
  • Example 9:
    • 无论发生什么，我永远都是你的朋友。
    • Pinyin: Wúlùn fāshēng shénme, wǒ yǒngyuǎn dōu shì nǐ de péngyǒu.
    • English: No matter what happens, I will always be your friend.
    • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates a more emotional and emphatic use of 是, providing a strong statement of identity and relationship.
  • Example 10:
    • 他说得好像是真的一样。
    • Pinyin: Tā shuō de hǎoxiàng shì zhēn de yīyàng.
    • English: He spoke as if it were real.
    • Analysis: This example uses 是 within the structure `好像…是…一样 (hǎoxiàng…shì…yīyàng)`, meaning “seems as if…” This shows a more advanced, figurative use.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • BIG MISTAKE: Using `是` with Adjectives. This is the most common error for English speakers. You cannot say “我是累 (wǒ shì lèi)” for “I am tired.”
    • Incorrect: 他是高。(Tā shì gāo.)
    • Correct: 他很高。(Tā hěn gāo.) - He is tall. (Literally: He very tall.)
    • Reason: In Chinese, adjectives can function as predicates on their own. The adverb 很 (hěn) is added for balance and fluency, not necessarily for emphasis.
  • “Yes” is not always `是`. While 是 means “yes,” it's specifically used to confirm a fact, usually in response to a question that contains 是. If someone asks you a question with a different verb, you should answer by repeating that verb.
    • Question: 你想去吗？(Nǐ xiǎng qù ma?) - Do you want to go?
    • Correct Answer: 想 (xiǎng) - [I] want to.
    • Awkward Answer: 是 (shì) - Yes. (This is understandable but unnatural).
  • `是` (to be) vs. `在` (to be at). Do not use 是 for location. Use 在 (zài) to say something “is at/in/on” a place.
    • Incorrect: 书是桌子上。(Shū shì zhuōzi shàng.)
    • Correct: 书在桌子上。(Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.) - The book is on the table.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 不是 (bú shì) - The direct negative of 是, meaning “is not,” “am not,” or “are not.”
  • 是不是 (shì bu shì) - A common question form, meaning “is it or not?” Used to ask for confirmation.
  • 是的 (shì de) - A polite and common way to say “yes,” often used in response to a question. Slightly more formal than just 是.
  • 很 (hěn) - The adverb “very,” which is grammatically necessary when linking a subject to an adjective where English would use “is/am/are.”
  • 在 (zài) - The verb “to be at/in/on.” Used for location instead of 是.
  • 有 (yǒu) - The verb “to have,” which is used for existence in the “there is/are” pattern (e.g., `这里有一个人` - There is a person here).
  • 对 (duì) - Means “correct” or “right.” Often used to agree with an opinion or statement, similar to saying “That's right.”
  • 等于 (děngyú) - “To equal.” The mathematical and logical equivalent of 是. You use this in equations (2+2等于4), not in general sentences.