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

There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what's the use of things. This article will explain another way to do that, and it just happens to involve "是⋯⋯的." This isn't to say that you can't make these sentences without using "是" and "的" but this can help emphasize why you are doing something or what's the use of thing, giving your sentence a little more kick.

When the subject is a person

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 Phrase + 的

Examples

• 我们 都 是 来 做 生意 的。Wǒmen dōu shì lái zuò shēngyi de.We are all here doing business.
• 我 是 来 上海 旅游 的。Wǒ shì lái Shànghǎi lǚyóu de.I came to Shanghai to travel.
• 他们 都 是 来 实习 的。Tāmen dōu shì lái 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 here to help us? Really?
• 你 要 记住，你 是 去 学习 的，不 是 去 玩 的。Nǐ yào jìzhù, nǐ shì qù xuéxí de, bùshì qù wán de.You need to remember, you went (to school) to study, not to hang out with people.

When the subject is a person

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 Phrase + 的

• 钱 是 用来 花 的。Money is for spending.
• 这 个 房间 是 用来 放 的。This room is for putting all of our ju.
• 是 用来 做 三明治的。This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.
• 这 种 面包 是 用来 做 三明治的。This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.
• 这 种 面包 是 用来 做 三明治的。This kind of bread is for making sandwiches.

See Also

• Uses of "shi⋯⋯ de"