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是 (shì): saying "A is B"

Use 是 to link two nouns: 我是学生 "I am a student". Do not use it before adjectives.

是 links a subject to a noun or noun phrase, like English "am / is / are". It never changes form: 我是, 你是, 他们是.

Before an adjective, Chinese uses 很 instead of 是 (see the 很 + adjective concept). 我是高 is wrong; say 我很高.

To negate, put 不 in front: 我不是老师 "I am not a teacher".

Pattern: Subject + 是 + noun

Practice this lesson

Updated October 21, 2026

Examples

• 我是学生。 Wǒ shì xuésheng.
  I am a student.
• 他不是中国人。 Tā bú shì Zhōngguó rén.
  He is not Chinese.

In real sentences

• 是。
  Yes.
  Tatoeba: jiangche
• 是！
  Yes!
  Tatoeba: LeviHighway
• 是我。
  It's me.
  Tatoeba: fucongcong
• 就是！
  Exactly!
  Tatoeba: GlossaMatik
• 是的。
  Yes.
  Tatoeba: biglion
• 是吗？
  Is that so?
  Tatoeba: cntrational

Before this lesson

This unlocks after: HSK 1 Actions 1, The four tones.

← 在 (zài): where something is or happens也 and 都: "also" and "all" →