The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose

There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what an object is used for. One of the more natural ways just happens to involve 是⋯⋯的. This is a different usage from the "classic" 是⋯⋯的 pattern.

A Person as Subject

Structure

If the subject is a person, there is often a 来 or 去 after the 是, indicating direction like "coming here" or "going there."

Person + 是 + 来 / 去 + Verb+ 的

Examples

• 我 是 来 旅游 的 。Wǒ shì lái lǚyóu de.I came to travel.
• 我们 都 是 去 出差 的 。Wǒmen dōu shì qù chūchāi de.We are all going on business trips.
• 他们 都 是 来 实习 的 。Tāmen dōu shì lái shíxí de.They all came here to do an internship.
• 你 真的 是 来 帮 我们 的 吗 ？ Nǐ zhēnde shì lái bāng wǒmen de ma?Are you really here to help us?
• 我们 不 是 去 玩 的 ，是 去 做 调查 的 。Wǒmen bù shì qù wán de, shì qù zuò diàochá de.We're not going there to hang out with people. Instead, we're there to do research.

A Thing as Subject

Structure

If the subject is a thing, 用来 is often used. Look at the examples below for some more clarification.

Thing + 是 + 用来 + Verb + 的

or

Thing + 是 + 给 + Person + Verb + 的

Examples

• 这 种 菜 是 用来 做 汤 的 。Zhè zhǒng cài shì yònglái zuò tāng de.This kind of vegetable is for making soup.
• 这个 房间 是 给 客人 住 的 。Zhège fángjiān shì gěi kèrén zhù de.This room is for our guest to live in.
• 这些 钱 是 给孩子 上 大学 的 。 zhèxiē qián shì gěi háizi shàng dàxué de.This money is for our child's college education.
• 这些 礼物 是 给 客户 准备 的 。Zhèxiē lǐwù shì gěi kèhù zhǔnbèi de.These presents are prepared for the clients.
• 钱 是 用来 花 的 ，不 是 用来 省的 。Qián shì yònglái huā de, bù shì yònglái shěng de.Money is for spending, not for saving.

See also

• The "shi... de" patterns: an overview
• The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details