是
shìanswer to "is it"
Chinese has no single word for "yes". The most common answer is 是 (shì), "be", or 对 (duì), "correct". To agree to a plan, use 好 (hǎo).
Meaning: yes, affirmative (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 是 | shì | answer to "is it" |
| 对 | duì | correct |
| 好 | hǎo | agreement |
是 (shì) fits questions with "to be", such as 你是学生吗？ 对 (duì) confirms a statement. 好 (hǎo) accepts an offer or a suggestion.
How does it change in a sentence?
Chinese usually repeats the verb of the question. Asked 你喜欢吗？, you answer 喜欢 (xǐhuan), and the negative is 不喜欢 (bù xǐhuan).
Did you know?
- 对 (duì) is also the word for "correct", so 对了 (duì le) is how Chinese speakers say "right, by the way".
Examples in context
- 你是学生吗？是，我是学生。nǐ shì xuésheng ma? shì, wǒ shì xuésheng.Are you a student? Yes, I am a student.
- 对，你说得对。duì, nǐ shuō de duì.Yes, you are right.
- 好，我们走吧。hǎo, wǒmen zǒu ba.OK, let us go.
Example conversation
Teacher Gao checks the class list with a student, Tian, in a school in Nanjing.
- Gao你是田力吗？nǐ shì Tián Lì ma?Are you Tian Li?
- Tian是，我是田力。shì, wǒ shì Tián Lì.Yes, I am Tian Li.
- Gao你是三年级的学生吗？nǐ shì sān niánjí de xuésheng ma?Are you a third grade student?
- Tian对。duì.Yes.
