HSK 1
是 Sentences: Identification in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
Subject + 是 / 不是 + Noun phrase
When to use 是字句 — and when not
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。
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
我是学生。
Wǒ shì xuésheng.
I am a student.
她是我的老师。
Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.
She is my teacher.
这本书是新的。
Zhè běn shū shì xīn de.
This book is the new one.
Common mistakes
她我的老师。
Tā wǒ de lǎoshī.
Add 是 between the subject and the identifying noun phrase.
我是很学生。
Wǒ shì hěn xuésheng.
Use a complete noun phrase, such as 一个很认真的学生, after 是.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 是字句 sentence and check that grammar point first.
是 Sentences: Identification FAQ
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.
Related Chinese grammar points
形容词谓语句
Adjective Predicate Sentence
Easy to confuse
Learn when an adjective predicate does not require the copula 是.
是
The 是...的 Construction
Continue learning
Extend basic 是 identification into focus on completed event details.
吗
吗 and A-not-A Questions
Continue learning
Use 是 and 不是 inside common yes-no question patterns.