Ste Magazine

Mastering Sentences with 是 (Shì) in Mandarin Chinese

Mastering Sentences with 是 (Shì) in Mandarin Chinese

The verb 是 (shì) is one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in Mandarin Chinese. It functions similarly to the English verb “to be,” serving as a link between the subject and its description or identification. Understanding how to use 是 (shì) correctly is essential for forming basic sentences in Chinese. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to use 是 (shì) in various contexts, along with examples and practice exercises to help you master its usage.

Basic Usage of 是 (Shì)

The primary function of 是 (shì) is to link the subject of a sentence with its predicate, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

Structure:

  • Subject + 是 (shì) + Predicate

Examples:

  • 我是学生。(Wǒ shì xuéshēng.) – I am a student.
  • 他是老师。(Tā shì lǎoshī.) – He is a teacher.
  • 这是我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) – This is my book.

Using 是 (Shì) with Nouns

When 是 (shì) is used to link the subject to a noun, it indicates that the subject is identified or classified as the noun.

Examples:

  • 她是医生。(Tā shì yīshēng.) – She is a doctor.
  • 我们是朋友。(Wǒmen shì péngyǒu.) – We are friends.
  • 北京是中国的首都。(Běijīng shì Zhōngguó de shǒudū.) – Beijing is the capital of China.

Using 是 (Shì) with Pronouns

是 (shì) can also link the subject to a pronoun, emphasizing identification or relation.

Examples:

  • 那个人是我。(Nàgè rén shì wǒ.) – That person is me.
  • 这些是你的东西。(Zhèxiē shì nǐ de dōngxi.) – These are your things.
  • 那是我们的家。(Nà shì wǒmen de jiā.) – That is our home.

Using 是 (Shì) with Adjectives

While 是 (shì) is typically used with nouns and pronouns, it is not used directly with adjectives to describe a subject’s state or quality. Instead, the adjective usually follows the subject directly without 是 (shì). However, 是 (shì) can be used in sentences to emphasize the state or condition when combined with other structures.

Examples:

  • 他很聪明。(Tā hěn cōngmíng.) – He is very smart. (Note: 很 (hěn) is used instead of 是 (shì).)
  • 这本书是新的。(Zhè běn shū shì xīn de.) – This book is new. (Here, 是 (shì) emphasizes the state with a descriptive particle 的 (de).)

Forming Questions with 是 (Shì)

To form questions using 是 (shì), you can add the particle 吗 (ma) at the end of the statement, or use question words such as 什么 (shénme) for “what” or 谁 (shéi) for “who.”

Examples:

  • 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) – Are you a student?
  • 他是谁？(Tā shì shéi?) – Who is he?
  • 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) – What is this?

Forming Negative Sentences with 是 (Shì)

To negate a sentence with 是 (shì), use the negative particle 不是 (bú shì) before the predicate.

Examples:

  • 我不是老师。(Wǒ bú shì lǎoshī.) – I am not a teacher.
  • 这不是我的书。(Zhè bú shì wǒ de shū.) – This is not my book.
  • 他不是学生。(Tā bú shì xuéshēng.) – He is not a student.

Emphasizing with 是 (Shì)

是 (shì) can also be used to emphasize a specific element in a sentence, especially in contrastive sentences.

Examples:

  • 我是昨天来的。(Wǒ shì zuótiān lái de.) – I came yesterday.
  • 是他做的。(Shì tā zuò de.) – It was him who did it.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of 是 (shì), try these exercises:

  1. Translate the following sentences into Chinese:
    • “She is a teacher.”
    • “This is my book.”
    • “Are you a student?”

Answers:

  • 她是老师。(Tā shì lǎoshī.)
  • 这是我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.)
  • 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?)
  1. Negate the following sentences:
    • 他是医生。(Tā shì yīshēng.)
    • 那是我们的家。(Nà shì wǒmen de jiā.)
    • 这本书是新的。(Zhè běn shū shì xīn de.)

Answers:

  • 他不是医生。(Tā bú shì yīshēng.)
  • 那不是我们的家。(Nà bú shì wǒmen de jiā.)
  • 这本书不是新的。(Zhè běn shū bú shì xīn de.)
  1. Form questions using 是 (shì):
    • “He is a student.”
    • “This is your pen.”
    • “She is my friend.”

Answers:

  • 他是学生吗？(Tā shì xuéshēng ma?)
  • 这是你的笔吗？(Zhè shì nǐ de bǐ ma?)
  • 她是我的朋友吗？(Tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu ma?)

Conclusion

Mastering the use of 是 (shì) is crucial for forming basic sentences in Mandarin Chinese. Whether you are identifying people, objects, or emphasizing certain aspects of a statement, 是 (shì) serves as an essential building block in your Chinese language skills. Practice regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself using 是 (shì) naturally and confidently in your conversations. Happy learning!

Post Views: 1,313

Ste Magazine

, , , , , , , , ,

72 responses to “Mastering Sentences with 是 (Shì) in Mandarin Chinese”

  2. Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  3. This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen

  5. I believe that is among the so much vital information for me. And i’m glad studying your article. But should statement on some common issues, The website style is wonderful, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Just right task, cheers

  6. I enjoy you because of all of your labor on this blog. My niece really likes conducting internet research and it’s obvious why. Many of us notice all about the compelling medium you convey efficient steps via your web blog and even inspire participation from some other people on the subject matter and my princess has been being taught a great deal. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You’re conducting a really good job.

  10. I just couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often in order to check up on new posts

  12. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  13. This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.

  15. I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again!

  16. This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.

  17. obviously like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality however I’ll definitely come back again.

  18. I will right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  19. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  20. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!

  22. Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I’m experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting an identical rss downside? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

  23. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thanks

  24. naturally like your web site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll definitely come back again.

  27. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.

  31. Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!

  32. hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon..

  33. I¦ve learn several excellent stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you place to create this type of wonderful informative web site.

  34. F*ckin’ amazing things here. I am very happy to peer your post. Thank you a lot and i am having a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  35. I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…

  36. Hi there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

  39. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  40. It?¦s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  41. I was just looking for this information for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top web sites are full of garbage.

  42. My spouse and i were really joyful when Chris could carry out his investigations through the entire precious recommendations he had out of the blog. It’s not at all simplistic to just be giving freely secrets that many people might have been trying to sell. So we remember we now have the blog owner to be grateful to because of that. The specific illustrations you made, the simple web site navigation, the friendships your site aid to promote – it’s mostly overwhelming, and it’s really facilitating our son and our family believe that the subject matter is amusing, which is especially pressing. Many thanks for all!

  45. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing in your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  46. Whats Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid different customers like its helped me. Good job.

  48. I’ll right away snatch your rss as I can’t to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  49. You made some decent points there. I seemed on the internet for the difficulty and found most people will go together with along with your website.

  52. Hey there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics? Thanks!

  56. Good post. I study something tougher on different blogs everyday. It would all the time be stimulating to learn content from different writers and apply just a little one thing from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  57. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  59. Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all vital infos. I would like to see extra posts like this .

  60. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & help different customers like its helped me. Great job.

  61. Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  63. I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?

  64. Thanks for every other informative blog. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such an ideal method? I’ve a undertaking that I’m simply now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.

  65. hello!,I really like your writing so so much! share we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this area to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking forward to look you.

  66. I have not checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  67. hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this website, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again very soon..

  68. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  71. Whats Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped me. Good job.

  72. You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart. “Every man serves a useful purpose A miser, for example, makes a wonderful ancestor.” by Laurence J. Peter.

Leave a Reply