HSK 1
“是”字句
“ shì ” zì jù
Sentences with the word "是" (shì)
Explanation
The 是 sentence (是字句) is a sentence type that uses the verb 是 (shì - "to be") as the predicate (the part stating the action or quality of the subject) to connect the subject (the person or thing performing the action, at the start of the sentence) with the explanatory part that follows; its basic meaning is "A is B".
A + 是 (shì) + B. Negation: A + 不是 (bú shì - is not) + B.
the negation of 是 is 不是, NOT 没. Three main uses: - (1) Identity / classification: 他是我的老师 (He is my teacher) - confirming identity or category. - (2) Explaining a characteristic: 花是白的 (The flowers are white) - using the structure 是...的 (shì...de) to emphasize a quality. - (3) Indicating existence: 车站东边是一个学校 (To the east of the bus station is a school) - saying what exists in that place.
When introducing, identifying, classifying, or saying what exists somewhere.
(1) Adding a redundant 是 before an adjective. A sentence merely describing a quality uses 很, not 是 (correct: 花很白 / 花是白的; wrong: 花是白). (2) Wrong negation with 没是 (it should be 不是).
Examples
(1) Indicating identity or classification
He is my teacher.
This is his book.
(2) Indicating explanation or characteristic
The flowers are white.
The clothes are clean.
(3) Indicating existence
To the east of the bus station is a school.
To the west of the teaching building is not the library.
Practice
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Learn ““是”字句” effectively
The grammar point ““是”字句” (Sentences with the word "是" (shì)) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.