Difference between revisions of "Connecting nouns with "shi""

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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
The structure for connecting nouns with 是 is:
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The structure for connecting nouns with 是 (shì) is:
  
 
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<div class="jiegou">
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This is equivalent to "Noun 1 '''is''' Noun 2" in English.
 
This is equivalent to "Noun 1 '''is''' Noun 2" in English.
  
Chinese does not [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_conjugation conjugate] verbs. That is, the form of the verb is the same no matter who is doing it. In this case, it is always 是 and never changes. As you can see, it's easy to form simple sentences expressing ''to be'' in Chinese.  
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Chinese does not [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_conjugation conjugate] verbs. That is, the form of the verb is the same no matter who is doing it. In this case, it is always 是 (shì) and never changes. As you can see, it's easy to form simple sentences expressing ''to be'' in Chinese.  
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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</div>
 
</div>
  
Be careful though. As you can see above, 是 is only used to link two nouns. It cannot be used to link a noun and an adjective. This is a very common mistake for people just beginning to learn Chinese. For that kind of sentence, you'll want to use [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|the linking word 很]].
+
Be careful though. As you can see above, 是 (shì) is only used to link two nouns. It cannot be used to link a noun and an adjective. This is a very common mistake for people just beginning to learn Chinese. For that kind of sentence, you'll want to use [[Simple "noun + adjective" sentences|the linking word 很]].
  
 
In Chinese it is also possible to use the phrase "是不是?". This is often used in the end of a sentence. It's meaning is quite similar to the English word: Right? This is very useful if you want to express concern for a person, or if you want to mix up your language a bit and make it more interesting. You can for example say: "你还好,是不是?" which means: "You are good, right (or: aren't you?)"
 
In Chinese it is also possible to use the phrase "是不是?". This is often used in the end of a sentence. It's meaning is quite similar to the English word: Right? This is very useful if you want to express concern for a person, or if you want to mix up your language a bit and make it more interesting. You can for example say: "你还好,是不是?" which means: "You are good, right (or: aren't you?)"

Revision as of 08:35, 13 June 2014

The verb to be is not used in Chinese the same way as it is in English. In Chinese, 是 (shì) is for connecting nouns, and is generally not used with adjectives.

Structure

The structure for connecting nouns with 是 (shì) is:

Noun 1 + 是 + Noun 2

This is equivalent to "Noun 1 is Noun 2" in English.

Chinese does not conjugate verbs. That is, the form of the verb is the same no matter who is doing it. In this case, it is always 是 (shì) and never changes. As you can see, it's easy to form simple sentences expressing to be in Chinese.

Examples

  • 学生I am a student.
  • 医生She is a doctor.
  • 老师He is a teacher.
  • This is a book.
  • 杯子That is a cup.
  • 我 的 老板She is my boss.
  • 这 些 These are flowers.
  • 你 的 水That is your water.
  • 我 的 衣服These are my clothes.
  • 我 的 朋友You are my friend.

Be careful though. As you can see above, 是 (shì) is only used to link two nouns. It cannot be used to link a noun and an adjective. This is a very common mistake for people just beginning to learn Chinese. For that kind of sentence, you'll want to use the linking word 很.

In Chinese it is also possible to use the phrase "是不是?". This is often used in the end of a sentence. It's meaning is quite similar to the English word: Right? This is very useful if you want to express concern for a person, or if you want to mix up your language a bit and make it more interesting. You can for example say: "你还好,是不是?" which means: "You are good, right (or: aren't you?)"

See also

Sources and further reading