Difference between revisions of "The "shi... de" patterns: an overview"

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{{stub}}\r\nAn intermediate student of Chinese should be aware of the classic [["shi... de" construction]].  It's important to learn and use.  But don't be tempted to think that the "official" 是……的 (shì... de) pattern is the only way that 是 and 的 can work together in a sentence!  There are multiple ways to use 是 and 的 together, and they can be used for different purposes.  This article helps break down the various uses of "是……的" and tackle the confusion head-on.\r\n== Omitting a Noun Using 的 ==\r\nThis is the most simple way to use 是 with 的: you drop the noun and let 的 represent it. This usage requires context, otherwise the other person won't know what noun you are referring to. Once that is established, however, this usage is really easy: having the "的" take the place of the noun is sort of like the way we say "one" or "it" in English. It's a basic substitution, but it's one that is very common and very helpful in everyday Chinese. Some people consider this just to be a version of "Adjective + 的 + Noun" that has dropped the noun, so the 的 has to take it's place. The [[Modifying nouns with adjective + "de"#Structure Without the noun|structure without the noun]] might take a little practice, but once you get it, it's so easy you'll be using it all the time.\r\n===Examples===\r\n<div class="liju">
+
{{stub}}
 +
 
 +
An intermediate student of Chinese should be aware of the classic [["shi... de" construction]].  It's important to learn and use.  But don't be tempted to think that the "official" 是……的 (shì... de) pattern is the only way that 是 and 的 can work together in a sentence!  There are multiple ways to use 是 and 的 together, and they can be used for different purposes.  This article helps break down the various uses of "是……的" and tackle the confusion head-on.
 +
 
 +
== Omitting a Noun Using 的 ==
 +
 
 +
This is the most simple way to use 是 with 的: you drop the noun and let 的 represent it. This usage requires context, otherwise the other person won't know what noun you are referring to. Once that is established, however, this usage is really easy: having the "的" take the place of the noun is sort of like the way we say "one" or "it" in English. It's a basic substitution, but it's one that is very common and very helpful in everyday Chinese. Some people consider this just to be a version of "Adjective + 的 + Noun" that has dropped the noun, so the 的 has to take it's place. The [[Modifying nouns with adjective + "de"#Structure Without the noun|structure without the noun]] might take a little practice, but once you get it, it's so easy you'll be using it all the time.
 +
 
 +
===Examples===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 
*你是学生?你是哪个学校<em>的</em>? <span class="trans">Are you a student? Which school's student?</span>
 
*你是学生?你是哪个学校<em>的</em>? <span class="trans">Are you a student? Which school's student?</span>
 
*你 是 做 什么 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">What kind of work do you do? (lit. You are what kind of work (person)?</span>
 
*你 是 做 什么 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">What kind of work do you do? (lit. You are what kind of work (person)?</span>
 
*我 是 学 中文 专业 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I am a Chinese major (student).</span>
 
*我 是 学 中文 专业 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I am a Chinese major (student).</span>
</div>\r\n== Using 的 with Distinguishing Words ==\r\nIf you're a good student you learned the classic pattern for [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|simple sentences using adjectives]] long ago (you know, the 你很漂亮 type), and you know that you're '''''not''''' supposed to use 是 in these sentences.  But then you may have later come across some sentence patterns--apparently using adjectives--where you '''''have''''' to use 是 (and also 的).  These are sentences that use a special type of word (you might think of it as a special class of adjectives, if that helps) called [[distinguishing word]]s.\r\n===Examples===\r\nThe bold words are the "distinguishing words," so pay attention to what sorts of things they describe.\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>男</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I am a man.</span>
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Using 的 with Distinguishing Words ==
 +
 
 +
If you're a good student you learned the classic pattern for [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|simple sentences using adjectives]] long ago (you know, the 你很漂亮 type), and you know that you're '''''not''''' supposed to use 是 in these sentences.  But then you may have later come across some sentence patterns--apparently using adjectives--where you '''''have''''' to use 是 (and also 的).  These are sentences that use a special type of word (you might think of it as a special class of adjectives, if that helps) called [[distinguishing word]]s.
 +
 
 +
===Examples===
 +
 
 +
The bold words are the "distinguishing words," so pay attention to what sorts of things they describe.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>男</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I am a man.</span>
 
* 这个 苹果 <em>是</em> <strong>坏</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This apple is bad.</span>
 
* 这个 苹果 <em>是</em> <strong>坏</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This apple is bad.</span>
 
* 他 家的 家具 都 <em>是</em> <strong>中式</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">The furniture in his house is all in the Chinese style.</span>
 
* 他 家的 家具 都 <em>是</em> <strong>中式</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">The furniture in his house is all in the Chinese style.</span>
* 这个 计划 <em>是</em> <strong>长期</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This plan is for the long-term.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== The Classic 是……的 Construction ==\r\nThis classic pattern is the one for emphasizing certain ''details'' about events in the ''past''.  It's often used to ask pointed questions about past events, and then to answer those questions. Usually, the situation is already established, and the speakers are trying to get more specific clarification, such as when, where, or how the action took place. When this is the case, the phrase that follows the "是" is the part of the situation that is being emphasized. It is also important to know that you can't use "了" in this sentence. "了" only tells you that the action is completed, not any of the other details that this construction is looking for. Since it is already understood that the action took place, the "了" is unnecessary. A more complete explanation of this particular usage can be found [["Shi... de" construction|here]].\r\n===Examples===\r\nThe examples below share the theme: "我在上海学了两年中文。" The bolded words are the aspect of the situation that are being emphasized.\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>什么 时候</strong> 开始 学 中文 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">When was it that you started studying Chinese?</span>
+
* 这个 计划 <em>是</em> <strong>长期</strong><em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This plan is for the long-term.</span>
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>两年 以前</strong> 开始 学 中文 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">It was two years ago that I started studying Chinese.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 哪里</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 中文?<span class="trans">Where is it that you study Chinese?</span>
+
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 上海</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 中文。<span class="trans">It's in Shanghai that I study Chinese.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nIn the last example, you might have noticed something funny with the object of the verb. In this construction, if the verb is transitive (it takes an object), then the object can be placed either before or after the "的" without affecting the meaning. Take a look at the example below:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 昨天 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 吃 晚饭 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">What did you do for dinner last night?</span>
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== The Classic 是……的 Construction ==
 +
 
 +
This classic pattern is the one for emphasizing certain ''details'' about events in the ''past''.  It's often used to ask pointed questions about past events, and then to answer those questions. Usually, the situation is already established, and the speakers are trying to get more specific clarification, such as when, where, or how the action took place. When this is the case, the phrase that follows the "是" is the part of the situation that is being emphasized. It is also important to know that you can't use "了" in this sentence. "了" only tells you that the action is completed, not any of the other details that this construction is looking for. Since it is already understood that the action took place, the "了" is unnecessary. A more complete explanation of this particular usage can be found [["Shi... de" construction|here]].
 +
 
 +
===Examples===
 +
 
 +
The examples below share the theme: "我在上海学了两年中文。" The bolded words are the aspect of the situation that are being emphasized.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>什么 时候</strong> 开始 学 中文 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">When was it that you started studying Chinese?</span>
 +
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>两年 以前</strong> 开始 学 中文 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">It was two years ago that I started studying Chinese.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 哪里</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 中文?<span class="trans">Where is it that you study Chinese?</span>
 +
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 上海</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 中文。<span class="trans">It's in Shanghai that I study Chinese.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
In the last example, you might have noticed something funny with the object of the verb. In this construction, if the verb is transitive (it takes an object), then the object can be placed either before or after the "的" without affecting the meaning. Take a look at the example below:
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 昨天 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 吃 晚饭 <em>的</em>?<span class="trans">What did you do for dinner last night?</span>
 
* 我 <em>是</em> 跟 朋友 一起 吃 <strong>晚饭</strong> <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I ate dinner together with some friends.</span>
 
* 我 <em>是</em> 跟 朋友 一起 吃 <strong>晚饭</strong> <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I ate dinner together with some friends.</span>
* 我 <em>是</em> 跟 朋友 一起 吃 <em>的</em> <strong>晚饭</strong>。<span class="trans">I ate dinner together with some friends.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== Indicating Purpose or Intent Using 是……的 ==\r\nWhen explaining "what you came for" or "what you want to do," it's common to use yet [[Indicating purpose or intent using "shi...de|another type of 是……的 construction]].  Fortunately, this one is pretty easy for any intermediate learner. For this usage, you place the verb that you want to perform after the "是". You could think of the "是" as being the "am" in the sentence "I am here to study." When expressing a purpose, "是" and "的" are often used together with "用来", especially when the complement isn't a person.\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> 来 这里 实习 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I came here to do an internship.</span>
+
* 我 <em>是</em> 跟 朋友 一起 吃 <em>的</em> <strong>晚饭</strong>。<span class="trans">I ate dinner together with some friends.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Indicating Purpose or Intent Using 是……的 ==
 +
 
 +
When explaining "what you came for" or "what you want to do," it's common to use yet [[Indicating purpose or intent using "shi...de|another type of 是……的 construction]].  Fortunately, this one is pretty easy for any intermediate learner. For this usage, you place the verb that you want to perform after the "是". You could think of the "是" as being the "am" in the sentence "I am here to study." When expressing a purpose, "是" and "的" are often used together with "用来", especially when the complement isn't a person.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 我 <em>是</em> 来 这里 实习 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I came here to do an internship.</span>
 
* 钱 <em>是</em> 用来 花 <em>的</em>,<em>不是</em> 用来 存 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">Money is for spending, not for saving.</span>
 
* 钱 <em>是</em> 用来 花 <em>的</em>,<em>不是</em> 用来 存 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">Money is for spending, not for saving.</span>
* 这间 房子 <em>是</em> 用来 放 杂物 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This room is to put all of our junk in.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nIt can also be used to say what someone's job is, sort of like expressing the purpose of your work. The "是" is not necessary for this usage.\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> 做 翻译 <em>的</em>,我 老公 <em>是</em> 做 IT <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I do translating, my boss does IT work.</span>
+
* 这间 房子 <em>是</em> 用来 放 杂物 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">This room is to put all of our junk in.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
It can also be used to say what someone's job is, sort of like expressing the purpose of your work. The "是" is not necessary for this usage.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 我 <em>是</em> 做 翻译 <em>的</em>,我 老公 <em>是</em> 做 IT <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I do translating, my boss does IT work.</span>
 
* 有 一个 送 外卖 <em>的</em> 在 外面。<span class="trans">There's a take-out delivery guy outside.</span>
 
* 有 一个 送 外卖 <em>的</em> 在 外面。<span class="trans">There's a take-out delivery guy outside.</span>
* 他们 都 <em>是</em> 来 打工 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">They are all here to work part-time.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n==Indicating a tone of strong affirmation with 的==\r\nSometimes you can use "的" to really add a kick to your responses, making them stronger. You might even hear Chinese people reply with just "是的" which means "That's right". This usage is similar to the way that English speakers might stress the word "is" in sentences like "It ''is'' my food." When used to express affirmation, "会", "能", and "可以" are often used as well. Again, the "是" is not necessary.\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 会 去 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I can go.</span>
+
* 他们 都 <em>是</em> 来 打工 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">They are all here to work part-time.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
==Indicating a tone of strong affirmation with 的==
 +
 
 +
Sometimes you can use "的" to really add a kick to your responses, making them stronger. You might even hear Chinese people reply with just "是的" which means "That's right". This usage is similar to the way that English speakers might stress the word "is" in sentences like "It ''is'' my food." When used to express affirmation, "会", "能", and "可以" are often used as well. Again, the "是" is not necessary.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
* 我 会 去 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I can go.</span>
 
* 不会 有事 <em>的</em>,你放心。<span class="trans">There's nothing going on. Don't worry.</span>
 
* 不会 有事 <em>的</em>,你放心。<span class="trans">There's nothing going on. Don't worry.</span>
 
* 你 可以 <em>的</em>,加油!<span class="trans">You can do it. Go for it!</span>
 
* 你 可以 <em>的</em>,加油!<span class="trans">You can do it. Go for it!</span>
* 我 相信 我们 能 成功 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I believe we can succeed.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n==See also==\r\n*[[Modifying nouns with phrase + de]]
+
* 我 相信 我们 能 成功 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I believe we can succeed.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 +
 
 +
*[[Modifying nouns with phrase + de]]
 
*[[Expressing possession]]
 
*[[Expressing possession]]
*[["Shi... de" construction]]\r\n==Sources and Further Reading==\r\n===Books===
+
*[["Shi... de" construction]]
 +
 
 +
==Sources and Further Reading==
 +
 
 +
===Books===
 
* [[Structures of Mandarin Chinese for speakers of English 中文语法快易通:句型结构]] (p. 125) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B004CCQVNW&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004CCQVNW →buy]
 
* [[Structures of Mandarin Chinese for speakers of English 中文语法快易通:句型结构]] (p. 125) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B004CCQVNW&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004CCQVNW →buy]
 
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 233-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
 
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 233-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
 
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 54) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
 
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 54) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
 
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 222-5) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
 
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 222-5) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]

Revision as of 08:45, 26 November 2013

An intermediate student of Chinese should be aware of the classic "shi... de" construction. It's important to learn and use. But don't be tempted to think that the "official" 是……的 (shì... de) pattern is the only way that 是 and 的 can work together in a sentence! There are multiple ways to use 是 and 的 together, and they can be used for different purposes. This article helps break down the various uses of "是……的" and tackle the confusion head-on.

Omitting a Noun Using 的

This is the most simple way to use 是 with 的: you drop the noun and let 的 represent it. This usage requires context, otherwise the other person won't know what noun you are referring to. Once that is established, however, this usage is really easy: having the "的" take the place of the noun is sort of like the way we say "one" or "it" in English. It's a basic substitution, but it's one that is very common and very helpful in everyday Chinese. Some people consider this just to be a version of "Adjective + 的 + Noun" that has dropped the noun, so the 的 has to take it's place. The structure without the noun might take a little practice, but once you get it, it's so easy you'll be using it all the time.

Examples

  • 你是学生?你是哪个学校? Are you a student? Which school's student?
  • 你 是 做 什么 What kind of work do you do? (lit. You are what kind of work (person)?
  • 我 是 学 中文 专业 I am a Chinese major (student).

Using 的 with Distinguishing Words

If you're a good student you learned the classic pattern for simple sentences using adjectives long ago (you know, the 你很漂亮 type), and you know that you're not supposed to use 是 in these sentences. But then you may have later come across some sentence patterns--apparently using adjectives--where you have to use 是 (and also 的). These are sentences that use a special type of word (you might think of it as a special class of adjectives, if that helps) called distinguishing words.

Examples

The bold words are the "distinguishing words," so pay attention to what sorts of things they describe.

  • I am a man.
  • 这个 苹果 This apple is bad.
  • 他 家的 家具 都 中式The furniture in his house is all in the Chinese style.
  • 这个 计划 长期This plan is for the long-term.

The Classic 是……的 Construction

This classic pattern is the one for emphasizing certain details about events in the past. It's often used to ask pointed questions about past events, and then to answer those questions. Usually, the situation is already established, and the speakers are trying to get more specific clarification, such as when, where, or how the action took place. When this is the case, the phrase that follows the "是" is the part of the situation that is being emphasized. It is also important to know that you can't use "了" in this sentence. "了" only tells you that the action is completed, not any of the other details that this construction is looking for. Since it is already understood that the action took place, the "了" is unnecessary. A more complete explanation of this particular usage can be found here.

Examples

The examples below share the theme: "我在上海学了两年中文。" The bolded words are the aspect of the situation that are being emphasized.

  • 什么 时候 开始 学 中文 When was it that you started studying Chinese?
  • 两年 以前 开始 学 中文 It was two years ago that I started studying Chinese.
  • 在 哪里 中文?Where is it that you study Chinese?
  • 在 上海 中文。It's in Shanghai that I study Chinese.

In the last example, you might have noticed something funny with the object of the verb. In this construction, if the verb is transitive (it takes an object), then the object can be placed either before or after the "的" without affecting the meaning. Take a look at the example below:

  • 昨天 你 怎么 吃 晚饭 What did you do for dinner last night?
  • 跟 朋友 一起 吃 晚饭 I ate dinner together with some friends.
  • 跟 朋友 一起 吃 晚饭I ate dinner together with some friends.

Indicating Purpose or Intent Using 是……的

When explaining "what you came for" or "what you want to do," it's common to use yet another type of 是……的 construction. Fortunately, this one is pretty easy for any intermediate learner. For this usage, you place the verb that you want to perform after the "是". You could think of the "是" as being the "am" in the sentence "I am here to study." When expressing a purpose, "是" and "的" are often used together with "用来", especially when the complement isn't a person.

  • 来 这里 实习 I came here to do an internship.
  • 用来 花 不是 用来 存 Money is for spending, not for saving.
  • 这间 房子 用来 放 杂物 This room is to put all of our junk in.

It can also be used to say what someone's job is, sort of like expressing the purpose of your work. The "是" is not necessary for this usage.

  • 做 翻译 ,我 老公 做 IT I do translating, my boss does IT work.
  • 有 一个 送 外卖 在 外面。There's a take-out delivery guy outside.
  • 他们 都 来 打工 They are all here to work part-time.

Indicating a tone of strong affirmation with 的

Sometimes you can use "的" to really add a kick to your responses, making them stronger. You might even hear Chinese people reply with just "是的" which means "That's right". This usage is similar to the way that English speakers might stress the word "is" in sentences like "It is my food." When used to express affirmation, "会", "能", and "可以" are often used as well. Again, the "是" is not necessary.

  • 我 会 去 I can go.
  • 不会 有事 ,你放心。There's nothing going on. Don't worry.
  • 你 可以 ,加油!You can do it. Go for it!
  • 我 相信 我们 能 成功 I believe we can succeed.

See also

Sources and Further Reading

Books