The 'To Be' Verb: 是 (shì)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {是|shì} to connect two nouns, like an equals sign (=) in math.
- Use {是|shì} to define identity: {我|wǒ} {是|shì} {学生|xuéshēng} (I am a student).
- Never use {是|shì} with adjectives; use {很|hěn} instead: {他|tā} {很|hěn} {高|gāo} (He is tall).
- Make it negative by adding {不|bù} before it: {我|wǒ} {不是|búshì} {老师|lǎoshī} (I am not a teacher).
Overview
The Chinese verb 是 (shì) is foundational for expressing identity in Mandarin. Unlike the highly versatile English verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were), 是 (shì) possesses a much narrower and more precise function. Its primary role is to establish equivalence or identification between two entities.
You can conceptualize 是 (shì) as an equals sign (=) in a linguistic equation: Noun A = Noun B. This strict definition is crucial, as attempting to apply the broad English "to be" functionality directly to 是 (shì) is a primary source of error for learners.
This verb is used to confirm what something or someone is, specifying roles, nationalities, relationships, or inherent characteristics that define an identity. For instance, you use 是 (shì) to state your profession (我是学生 | Wǒ shì xuésheng – I am a student) or declare an object's nature (这是书 | Zhè shì shū – This is a book). Mastering 是 (shì) involves internalizing its restrictive nature, particularly its inability to link nouns with adjectives.
How This Grammar Works
是 (shì) is that it exclusively connects nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases. It acts as an identifier, asserting that the subject is the object. This is a fundamental divergence from Indo-European languages like English, where "to be" also links subjects to descriptive adjectives.我是医生 | Wǒ shì yīshēng – I am a doctor), while being tall or happy is a quality or state, not an identity. You cannot be an adjective.是 (shì) as 我是累 | Wǒ shì lèi is grammatically incorrect in Mandarin. 累 (lèi) (tired) is an adjective, describing a state, not an identity.很 (hěn) (very), to link a subject to an adjective, as in 我很累 | Wǒ hěn lèi (I am very tired). Even if 很 (hěn) often translates to "very," its primary grammatical function here is to grammatically enable the connection between the subject and the adjective.是 (shì) for identity (Noun=Noun), 很 (hěn) (or other adverbs of degree) for description (Noun + Adverb + Adjective). This structural difference reflects a deeper philosophical approach to predication in Chinese, where qualities are attributed rather than equated. Understanding this "why" simplifies adherence to the "what" of the rule.Word Order Rules
是 (shì), it occupies the verb position in this straightforward SVO framework. There are no complex grammatical inflections to contend with; 是 (shì) remains invariant regardless of the subject's person, number, or gender.我 是 老师。(Wǒ shì lǎoshī.) – I am a teacher. (Subject:我, Verb:是, Object:老师)他 是 美国人。(Tā shì Měiguórén.) – He is American. (Subject:他, Verb:是, Object:美国人)这 是 我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) – This is my book. (Subject:这, Verb:是, Object:我的书)
是 (shì) is tense-agnostic. It does not change form to indicate past, present, or future. The context or the inclusion of explicit time expressions (昨天 | zuótiān – yesterday, 明年 | míngnián – next year) conveys temporality.Formation Pattern
是 (shì) follows predictable and logical patterns for affirmative statements, negative statements, and questions. These patterns are fundamental building blocks for initial communication.
是 (shì) + Noun/Noun Phrase
你是我的朋友。 (Nǐ shì wǒ de péngyou.) – You are my friend.
他们是医生。 (Tāmen shì yīshēng.) – They are doctors.
上海是中国的一个城市。 (Shànghǎi shì Zhōngguó de yī gè chéngshì.) – Shanghai is a city in China.
不 (bù) + 是 (shì) + Noun/Noun Phrase
不 (bù) (fourth tone) changes to bú (second tone) when followed by another fourth tone, such as 是 (shì). Therefore, "is not" is always pronounced 不是 (bú shì).
我不是学生。 (Wǒ bú shì xuésheng.) – I am not a student.
她不是日本人。 (Tā bú shì Rìběnrén.) – She is not Japanese.
这不是我的手机。 (Zhè bú shì wǒ de shǒujī.) – This is not my phone.
是 (shì):
吗 (ma):
吗 (ma)
吗 (ma) carries a neutral tone.
你是老师吗？ (Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma?) – Are you a teacher?
他是美国人吗？ (Tā shì Měiguórén ma?) – Is he American?
是不是 (shì bu shì):
是不是 (shì bu shì) + Noun/Noun Phrase
吗 (ma) is needed.
你是不是学生？ (Nǐ shì bu shì xuésheng?) – Are you a student (or not)? / You are a student, aren't you?
他是不是医生？ (Tā shì bu shì yīshēng?) – Is he a doctor (or not)?
是 (shì) + Noun | Wǒ shì lǎoshī. | 我是老师。 |
不是 (bú shì) + Noun | Wǒ bú shì lǎoshī. | 我不是老师。 |
吗 (ma) | Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma? | 你是老师吗？ |
是不是 (shì bu shì) + Noun | Nǐ shì bu shì lǎoshī? | 你是不是老师？ |
When To Use It
是 (shì) is clearly defined by its function as an identity marker. You should confidently employ 是 (shì) in situations where you are explicitly stating or confirming what something or someone is in terms of their classification, origin, profession, or inherent nature. Understanding these specific contexts will help you avoid misapplication.这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) – What is this?这是我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) – This is my book.他是谁？(Tā shì shéi?) – Who is he?她是李老师。(Tā shì Lǐ lǎoshī.) – She is Teacher Li.
是 (shì) is the correct verb.我是中国人。(Wǒ shì Zhōngguórén.) – I am Chinese.你是不是美国人？(Nǐ shì bu shì Měiguórén?) – Are you American (or not)?这是法国酒。(Zhè shì Fàguó jiǔ.) – This is French wine.
我爸爸是工程师。(Wǒ bàba shì gōngchéngshī.) – My dad is an engineer.她是一名医生。(Tā shì yī míng yīshēng.) – She is a doctor.你妈妈是家庭主妇吗？(Nǐ māma shì jiātíng zhǔfù ma?) – Is your mother a housewife?
他是我哥哥。(Tā shì wǒ gēge.) – He is my older brother.她是我女朋友。(Tā shì wǒ nǚpéngyou.) – She is my girlfriend.
一加一是二。(Yī jiā yī shì èr.) – One plus one is two.上海不是首都。(Shànghǎi bú shì shǒudū.) – Shanghai is not the capital.
是 (shì) is your go-to verb. Its usage aligns with an ancient Chinese linguistic pattern of identifying substances rather than attributing qualities, a legacy from Classical Chinese where 是 (shì) often served a demonstrative function (this is, that is) before evolving into its copulative role.Common Mistakes
是 (shì), often due to interference from English grammar. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying linguistic reasons is critical for developing accurate usage.The 'To Be' Verb (是)
| Form | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
我是
|
wǒ shì
|
I am
|
|
Negative
|
我不是
|
wǒ búshì
|
I am not
|
|
Question
|
你是吗
|
nǐ shì ma
|
Are you?
|
|
Past (Emphasis)
|
我是...的
|
wǒ shì...de
|
I did...
|
|
Plural
|
我们是
|
wǒmen shì
|
We are
|
|
Third Person
|
他是
|
tā shì
|
He is
|
Meanings
The verb {是|shì} functions as a copula, equating a subject with a noun phrase or pronoun.
Identity
Equating two entities.
“{他|tā} {是|shì} {我的|wǒde} {朋友|péngyǒu}.”
“{这|zhè} {是|shì} {书|shū}.”
Classification
Assigning a category to a subject.
“{猫|māo} {是|shì} {动物|dòngwù}.”
“{苹果|píngguǒ} {是|shì} {水果|shuǐguǒ}.”
Emphasis
Used in the {是...的|shì...de} construction for emphasis.
“{我|wǒ} {是|shì} {昨天|zuótiān} {来|lái} {的|de}.”
“{他|tā} {是|shì} {开车|kāichē} {来|lái} {的|de}.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + 是 + Noun
|
我是学生
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + 不是 + Noun
|
我不是学生
|
|
Question
|
Subj + 是 + Noun + 吗
|
你是学生吗
|
|
Emphasis
|
是 + Verb + 的
|
我是坐车来的
|
|
Short Answer
|
是 / 不是
|
是 / 不是
|
|
Plural
|
Subj(Plural) + 是 + Noun
|
我们是老师
|
Formality Spectrum
本人是学生。 (Introduction)
我是学生。 (Introduction)
我是学生啊。 (Introduction)
我是学生呗。 (Introduction)
The Identity Equation
Identity
- 我是人 I am a person
Classification
- 猫是动物 Cats are animals
Examples by Level
{我|wǒ} {是|shì} {学生|xuéshēng}.
I am a student.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {苹果|píngguǒ}.
This is an apple.
{他|tā} {是|shì} {老师|lǎoshī}.
He is a teacher.
{那|nà} {是|shì} {学校|xuéxiào}.
That is the school.
{你|nǐ} {是|shì} {医生|yīshēng} {吗|ma}?
Are you a doctor?
{我|wǒ} {不是|búshì} {美国人|měiguórén}.
I am not American.
{她|tā} {是|shì} {你的|nǐde} {朋友|péngyǒu} {吗|ma}?
Is she your friend?
{这|zhè} {不是|búshì} {我的|wǒde} {书|shū}.
This is not my book.
{我|wǒ} {是|shì} {昨天|zuótiān} {来|lái} {的|de}.
I came yesterday.
{他|tā} {是|shì} {开车|kāichē} {来|lái} {的|de}.
He came by car.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {谁|shéi} {写|xiě} {的|de}?
Who wrote this?
{你|nǐ} {是|shì} {怎么|zěnme} {知道|zhīdào} {的|de}?
How did you know?
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {事实|shìshí}, {不|bù} {是|shì} {意见|yìjiàn}.
This is a fact, not an opinion.
{无论|wúlùn} {是|shì} {谁|shéi}, {都|dōu} {要|yào} {遵守|zūnshǒu} {规则|guīzé}.
No matter who it is, everyone must follow the rules.
{他|tā} {是|shì} {那种|nàzhǒng} {会|huì} {帮助|bāngzhù} {别人|biérén} {的|de} {人|rén}.
He is the kind of person who helps others.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {我们|wǒmen} {必须|bìxū} {面对|miànduì} {的|de} {挑战|tiǎozhàn}.
This is the challenge we must face.
{是|shì} {非|fēi} {曲直|qūzhí}, {大家|dàjiā} {心知肚明|xīnzhīdùmíng}.
Right and wrong are clear to everyone.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {一种|yīzhǒng} {哲学|zhéxué} {思考|sīkǎo}.
This is a form of philosophical thinking.
{他|tā} {所|suǒ} {说|shuō} {的|de} {是|shì} {真理|zhēnlǐ}.
What he said is the truth.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {历史|lìshǐ} {的|de} {必然|bìrán}.
This is a historical necessity.
{是|shì} {也|yě}, {非|fēi} {也|yě}, {皆|jiē} {由|yóu} {天|tiān} {定|dìng}.
Right or wrong, all is determined by heaven.
{此|cǐ} {是|shì} {吾|wú} {之|zhī} {本意|běnyì}.
This is my original intention.
{是|shì} {可|kě} {忍|rěn}, {孰|shú} {不可|bùkě} {忍|rěn}?
If this can be tolerated, what cannot?
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {对|duì} {传统|chuántǒng} {的|de} {一种|yīzhǒng} {重构|chónggòu}.
This is a reconstruction of tradition.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up identity and possession.
Learners use 是 for adjectives.
Learners use 是 for location.
Common Mistakes
我是高兴
我很高兴
我学生
我是学生
我是累
我很累
他不是是老师
他不是老师
你是不是学生吗?
你是学生吗?
我不是是学生.
我不是学生.
是他是学生.
他是学生.
我是昨天来.
我是昨天来的.
这事是重要.
这事很重要.
他是去北京的.
他是去北京的.
此是我的书.
这是我的书.
是也.
是的.
这事是是.
这事确实是.
Sentence Patterns
我是___。
这是___吗？
他不是___。
___是我的朋友。
Real World Usage
你是谁？
这是我的照片。
我是应聘者。
这是火车站吗？
这是我的订单。
我是老师。
Noun only
No adjectives
No conjugation
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use 很 instead of 是.
Use 是.
Add 吗.
Put 不 before 是.
Pronunciation
Tone
是 is 4th tone (falling).
Emphasis
In questions, emphasize 是.
Question
Sentence + 吗 ↑
Rising pitch at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '是' as a bridge connecting two islands (nouns).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant equals sign (=) made of wood, standing in the middle of a sentence.
Rhyme
Use 是 for a noun, don't use it for a clown (adjective).
Story
Xiao Ming is a student. He says 'I am a student'. He uses '是'. But when he is tired, he says 'I am very tired', and he drops the '是'!
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences introducing yourself and your friends using '是'.
Cultural Notes
Standard usage.
Similar, but sometimes uses '是' more frequently in formal speech.
Often use '系' (hai6) instead of '是' in spoken Cantonese.
Originally, 是 meant 'this' or 'right' in classical Chinese.
Conversation Starters
你是学生吗？
这是你的书吗？
他是你的老师吗？
这是什么？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我___学生。
Find and fix the mistake:
我是高兴。
Which is correct?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I am not a teacher.
Answer starts with: 我不是...
A: 你是学生吗? B: ___.
Subject: 他, Noun: 医生
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我___学生。
Find and fix the mistake:
我是高兴。
Which is correct?
是 / 我 / 学生
I am not a teacher.
A: 你是学生吗? B: ___.
Subject: 他, Noun: 医生
Match: 我是老师
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises我 ___ 美国人，我是加拿大人。(I am not American, I am Canadian.)
你 ___ 老师吗？(Are you a teacher?)
Select the correct Chinese sentence.
How do you correctly pronounce 不是?
Arrange these words:
Arrange these words:
This is my friend.
Are you busy?
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'No, I am not'?
Match the pairs:
Match the subject to form a logical sentence:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, it is always 是.
No, use 很.
Add 吗 at the end.
No, use 在.
不是.
Yes, it is universal.
Only in the 是...的 construction.
It links subject and predicate.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser
Chinese does not conjugate.
être
Chinese excludes adjectives.
sein
Chinese excludes adjectives.
desu
Japanese is SOV, Chinese is SVO.
kāna
Chinese requires it for identity.
是
The baseline.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
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