是
shì/ʂɻ̩⁵¹/
In Chinese, 是 (shì) is the way to say "am".
The word 是 is used to link a subject to a noun or a noun phrase to indicate identity or classification, such as saying "I am a translator" or "This is my fault".
Meaning: before noon (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 是 does not change its form based on the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is shì. The IPA is /ʂɻ̩⁵¹/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 是 before adjectives, but in Chinese, adjectives like 'happy' or 'tall' are used directly without 是.
Did you know?
- The word 是 shares a deep ancestral root with the Tibetan word དེ (de), which also means 'this' or 'that'.
Examples in context
- 我是最好的。I am the best.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 是 to express being the best.Tatoeba #409665 by egg0073, translation #409664 by CN
- 我是个翻译。I am a translator.This sentence shows how to use 是 to state your profession.Tatoeba #490803 by GlossaMatik, translation #536946 by Kerstin
- 这是我的错。I am to blame for it.This sentence demonstrates using 是 to take responsibility for something.Tatoeba #790573 by GlossaMatik, translation #42404 by CM
- 我是张明。I am Zhang Ming.
- 我是个学生。I am a student.
- 我就是个普通人。I am just an ordinary person.
- 252 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 是, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 是, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
