是 Sentences: Identification in Chinese
是字句
A 是 sentence identifies, classifies, or explains its subject by linking it to a noun phrase. It can also highlight a characteristic with a 的 phrase or introduce what exists at a location. For ordinary adjective descriptions, Chinese normally uses the adjective directly instead of adding 是 as an English-style copula.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 是 / 不是 + Noun phrase
Read the structure
A 是 sentence identifies, classifies, or explains its subject by linking it to a noun phrase. It can also highlight a characteristic with a 的 phrase or introduce what exists at a location. For ordinary adjective descriptions, Chinese normally uses the adjective directly instead of adding 是 as an English-style copula. Keep the model Subject + 是 / 不是 + Noun phrase visible while you compare each sentence.
我是学生。
I am a student.
Choose the right context
Identify someone: 她是我的老师。 Classify something: 熊猫是动物。 Describe a defining feature with 的: 这本书是新的。
她是我的老师。
She is my teacher.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 是 before an ordinary adjective predicate merely to translate English be. Use 在 to locate a known person or thing, and 有 to introduce what a place contains. Do not omit 是 when two noun phrases need an explicit identifying link.
她我的老师。
(She my teacher.)
Repair the pattern
The identifying verb is omitted between two noun phrases: The two noun phrases need 是 to state that she is the speaker's teacher. The noun complement is placed inside the copular verb: 是 must be followed by a complete noun phrase; 很 cannot directly modify the noun 学生.
她是我的老师。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我是学生。
I am a student.
我是
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
学生
是 / 不是
This part occupies the 是 / 不是 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我是学生。
I am a student.
她是我的老师。
She is my teacher.
这本书是新的。
This book is the new one.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Identify someone: 她是我的老师。
- Classify something: 熊猫是动物。
- Describe a defining feature with 的: 这本书是新的。
Do not use it when
- Do not put 是 before an ordinary adjective predicate merely to translate English be.
- Use 在 to locate a known person or thing, and 有 to introduce what a place contains.
- Do not omit 是 when two noun phrases need an explicit identifying link.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
她我的老师。
她是我的老师。
The identifying verb is omitted between two noun phrases
The two noun phrases need 是 to state that she is the speaker's teacher.
我是很学生。
我是一个很认真的学生。
The noun complement is placed inside the copular verb
是 must be followed by a complete noun phrase; 很 cannot directly modify the noun 学生.
她我的老师。
Add 是 between the subject and the identifying noun phrase.
我是很学生。
Use a complete noun phrase, such as 一个很认真的学生, after 是.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 是字句.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 是字句. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
是 Sentences: Identification Questions
Is 是 the Chinese equivalent of every form of English be?
No. 是 mainly links noun phrases for identification or classification. Ordinary adjective predicates normally do not take 是.
How is 是 different from 在 and 有?
是 identifies, 在 locates a known entity, and 有 introduces possession or existence. Choose the verb according to the relationship you mean.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 是字句
Supports the learner-facing account of where 是字句 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 是字句
Cross-checks the Subject + 是 / 不是 + Noun phrase pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 1 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 1; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
是The 是...的 Construction
Separate ordinary copular 是 from the focused completed-event 是……的 construction.
Continue learning
吗吗 and A-not-A Questions
Form a question from a copular clause without losing its subject predicate structure.
Continue learning
主谓句：名词谓语句Noun-Predicate Sentences
Contrast direct nominal predication with copular identification in the official examples.
Compare
用是表示强调Emphatic 是
Compare ordinary noun identification with 是 highlighting the truth of a following predicate.
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Easy to confuse
Separate ordinary copular 是 from the focused completed-event 是……的 construction.