HSK 3
用“是”强调
yòng “ shì ” qiáng diào
Emphasis with '是'
Explanation
This is a way of emphasizing with 是 (shì): placing 是 before an adjective to emphasize and confirm that the quality is true, equivalent to "really is... indeed". 是 here is read with a stress and does not carry the usual meaning "to be".
subject (subject → the person or thing performing, at the head of the sentence) + 是 + (adverb + adjective), and there is NO need for 的 at the end — 这位经理是很负责 (this manager really is very responsible), 那电影是很有意思 (that movie really is very interesting).
when you want to agree with or confirm what someone just said, adding an affirmative tone (you're right, it really is very...).
this emphatic 是 differs from 是 as the verb "to be" (他是老师 – he is a teacher); here what follows 是 is an adjective, not a noun. It also differs from the 是⋯⋯的 structure used to emphasize time/place/manner.
adding 的 at the end unnecessarily (wrong: 是很负责的 when you only want to confirm the quality); and don't use this emphatic 是 before a noun in this manner.
Examples
You're right, this manager really is very responsible.
I agree, that movie really is very interesting.
Practice
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Learn “用“是”强调” effectively
The grammar point “用“是”强调” (Emphasis with '是') is one of the key structures at HSK 3. 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.
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