Difference between revisions of "The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details"

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{{Grammar Box}} \r\n{{AKA|是⋯⋯的结构 (shì ... de jiégòu)|是... 的 sentence|是... 的 pattern}}\r\nThe 是... 的 construction is used to draw particular attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasising a particular detail.  \r\nWhile not strictly tied to any "tense," the 是... 的 construction is frequently used when asking details about the past or telling details about the past.\r\n== Basic 是... 的 structure ==\r\nA 是... 的 sentence is formed with this structure:\r\n<div class="jiegou">\r\nSubject + 是 + <em>information to be emphasized</em> + Verb + 的\r\n</div>\r\nThis structure can be used to emphasise any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes '''time''', '''manner''', or '''place'''.  Don't worry if this still seems a little confusing; lots of straightforward examples are coming up!\r\n== Simple Question Examples ==\r\nThese are some of the most common questions asked using the 是... 的 construction and some possible answers:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 来 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner")</span> <span class="trans">How did you come?</span>
 
 
{{AKA|是⋯⋯的结构 (shì ... de jiégòu)|是... 的 sentence|是... 的 pattern}}
 
 
 
The 是... 的 construction is used to draw particular attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasising a particular detail.   
 
 
 
While not strictly tied to any "tense," the 是... 的 construction is frequently used when asking details about the past or telling details about the past.
 
 
 
== Basic 是... 的 structure ==
 
 
 
A 是... 的 sentence is formed with this structure:
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
 
 
Subject + 是 + <em>information to be emphasized</em> + Verb + 的
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
This structure can be used to emphasise any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes '''time''', '''manner''', or '''place'''.  Don't worry if this still seems a little confusing; lots of straightforward examples are coming up!
 
 
 
== Simple Question Examples ==
 
 
 
These are some of the most common questions asked using the 是... 的 construction and some possible answers:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 来 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner")</span> <span class="trans">How did you come?</span>
 
 
* 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 做 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner")</span> <span class="trans">How did you do it?</span>
 
* 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 做 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner")</span> <span class="trans">How did you do it?</span>
 
* <em>是</em> 谁 告诉 你 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "who")</span> <span class="trans">Who was it that told you?</span>
 
* <em>是</em> 谁 告诉 你 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "who")</span> <span class="trans">Who was it that told you?</span>
* 你 <em>是</em> 什么时候 来 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "when")</span> <span class="trans">When did you come?</span>
+
* 你 <em>是</em> 什么时候 来 <em>的</em> ? <span class="expl">(Emphasizing "when")</span> <span class="trans">When did you come?</span>\r\n</div>\r\nYou might be wondering, "can I still say the same thing without the 是 and the 的?"  The answer is that in most cases, ''no, not really''.  While the 是 can sometimes be dropped, these examples sound weird without the 的.  It's just a part of learning to ask questions naturally in Mandarin.  You don't have to learn a "past tense," but you do have to learn this way of asking for details about the past, sooner or later.\r\n== Other Examples ==\r\nSome examples where '''time''' is emphasized:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>昨天</strong> 来 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"Yesterday" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We came yesterday.</span>
 
+
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>去年</strong> 到 北京 去 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"Last year is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">He went to Beijing last year.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nSome examples where '''manner''' is emphasized:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>坐 飞机</strong> 去 美国 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"By plane" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She went to America by plane.</span>
</div>
+
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>从 香港 转机 到 上海 </strong> <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"from Hong Kong" is emphasized"</span> <span class="trans">I'm coming to Shanghai from Hong Kong.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nSome examples where '''place''' is emphasized:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学 英文 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"In Britain" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I studied English in Britain.</span>
 
+
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 中国</strong> 出生 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"In China" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">You were born in China.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== Singling out details for emphasis with 是... 的 ==\r\nAs mentioned above, a 是... 的 construction can pick out any detail in a sentence. Whatever comes immediately after 是 is emphasized. So in the sentence below:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭。<span class="trans">I ate with my family in a restaurant last Saturday.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nWe can pick out any one of the details by putting 是 in front of it:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>上 个 星期六</strong> 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"last Saturday" is emphasized.</span>
You might be wondering, "can I still say the same thing without the 是 and the 的?"  The answer is that in most cases, ''no, not really''.  While the 是 can sometimes be dropped, these examples sound weird without the 的.  It's just a part of learning to ask questions naturally in Mandarin.  You don't have to learn a "past tense," but you do have to learn this way of asking for details about the past, sooner or later.
 
 
 
== Other Examples ==
 
 
 
Some examples where '''time''' is emphasized:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>昨天</strong> 来 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"Yesterday" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We came yesterday.</span>
 
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>去年</strong> 到 北京 去 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"Last year is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">He went to Beijing last year.</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
Some examples where '''manner''' is emphasized:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>坐 飞机</strong> 去 美国 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"By plane" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She went to America by plane.</span>
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>从 香港 转机 到 上海 </strong> <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"from Hong Kong" is emphasized"</span> <span class="trans">I'm coming to Shanghai from Hong Kong.</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
Some examples where '''place''' is emphasized:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学 英文 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"In Britain" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I studied English in Britain.</span>
 
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 中国</strong> 出生 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">"In China" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">You were born in China.</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
== Singling out details for emphasis with 是... 的 ==
 
 
 
As mentioned above, a 是... 的 construction can pick out any detail in a sentence. Whatever comes immediately after 是 is emphasized. So in the sentence below:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭。<span class="trans">I ate with my family in a restaurant last Saturday.</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
We can pick out any one of the details by putting 是 in front of it:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>上 个 星期六</strong> 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"last Saturday" is emphasized.</span>
 
 
* 我 上 个 星期六 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 我 家人</strong> 在 饭馆 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"with my family" is emphasized.</span>
 
* 我 上 个 星期六 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 我 家人</strong> 在 饭馆 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"with my family" is emphasized.</span>
* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 <em>是</em> <strong>在 饭馆</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in a restaurant" is emphasized.</span>
+
* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 <em>是</em> <strong>在 饭馆</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in a restaurant" is emphasized.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== When to use 是... 的 ==\r\nAs described above, the 是... 的 construction is used to draw attention to particular information in a sentence. Whereas a sentence without a 是... 的 construction might ''describe'' a situation, a sentence with a 是... 的 construction ''explains'' it. 是... 的 is not generally used for reporting new information, but for adding important details that make the information clearer.\r\nYou could think of 是... 的 as being equivalent to saying one of the following in English:\r\n* "The situation is that"
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
== When to use 是... 的 ==
 
 
 
As described above, the 是... 的 construction is used to draw attention to particular information in a sentence. Whereas a sentence without a 是... 的 construction might ''describe'' a situation, a sentence with a 是... 的 construction ''explains'' it. 是... 的 is not generally used for reporting new information, but for adding important details that make the information clearer.
 
 
 
You could think of 是... 的 as being equivalent to saying one of the following in English:
 
 
 
* "The situation is that"
 
 
* "It's that ..."
 
* "It's that ..."
* "It was ... that ..."
+
* "It was ... that ..."\r\nIf the sentence could be formed with one of those phrases in English, it can probably use a 是... 的 construction in Chinese. Usually the topic of a 是... 的 sentence has already been established.\r\n=== Completed action ===\r\nIt's important to note that a 是... 的 construction also indicates that an action has been completed. However, this is not the purpose of a 是... 的 construction. The association with a completed action is more like a ''side effect'' of 是... 的. This means you shouldn't use 是... 的 just to indicate that an action is completed. Use the [[aspect particle 了]] for that. Instead, use 是... 的 to draw attention to particular features of the action.\r\n== Negating 是... 的 ==\r\n是... 的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Place 不 before 是 as you would in a standard sentence.\r\nSome examples:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我们 <em>不</em> 是 坐 火车 来 的。<span class="trans">We didn't come by train.</span>
 
 
If the sentence could be formed with one of those phrases in English, it can probably use a 是... 的 construction in Chinese. Usually the topic of a 是... 的 sentence has already been established.
 
 
 
=== Completed action ===
 
 
 
It's important to note that a 是... 的 construction also indicates that an action has been completed. However, this is not the purpose of a 是... 的 construction. The association with a completed action is more like a ''side effect'' of 是... 的. This means you shouldn't use 是... 的 just to indicate that an action is completed. Use the [[aspect particle 了]] for that. Instead, use 是... 的 to draw attention to particular features of the action.
 
 
 
== Negating 是... 的 ==
 
 
 
... 的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Place 不 before 是 as you would in a standard sentence.
 
 
 
Some examples:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我们 <em>不</em> 是 坐 火车 来 的。<span class="trans">We didn't come by train.</span>
 
 
* 这个电话<em>不</em> 是 打给他的。<span class="trans">This phone call wasn't given to him indeed.</span>
 
* 这个电话<em>不</em> 是 打给他的。<span class="trans">This phone call wasn't given to him indeed.</span>
* 我们 <em>不</em> 是 去 看她 的。<span class="trans">We didn't go to see her.</span>
+
* 我们 <em>不</em> 是 去 看她 的。<span class="trans">We didn't go to see her.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nNote that negating a 是... 的 construction creates the implication that the action in the sentence ''was'' carried out, and only the detail emphasized by 是... 的 is being denied. So, in the last sentence, the implication is that 你 didn't go out with 她, but ''did'' go out with ''someone''. So negative 是... 的 constructions would work nicely in the final scenes of detective dramas.\r\n== 是... 的 and questions ==\r\n是... 的 constructions can be made into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Chinese:\r\n* With a [[Interrogative Sentences#Question particles|question particle]]
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
Note that negating a 是... 的 construction creates the implication that the action in the sentence ''was'' carried out, and only the detail emphasized by 是... 的 is being denied. So, in the last sentence, the implication is that 你 didn't go out with 她, but ''did'' go out with ''someone''. So negative 是... 的 constructions would work nicely in the final scenes of detective dramas.
 
 
 
== 是... 的 and questions ==
 
 
 
... 的 constructions can be made into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Chinese:
 
 
 
* With a [[Interrogative Sentences#Question particles|question particle]]
 
 
* With a [[Word order#Using question words in a Chinese sentence|question word]]
 
* With a [[Word order#Using question words in a Chinese sentence|question word]]
* Within [[affirmative-negative questions]]
+
* Within [[affirmative-negative questions]]\r\nSome examples:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 你 是 用 手枪 杀害 他 的 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Did you use a pistol to murder him?</span>
 
+
* 他 是 坐 飞机 去 意大利 的 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Did you take a plane to Italy?</span>\r\n* 你 是 跟 <em>谁</em> 出去 的?<span class="trans">Who did you go out with?</span>
Some examples:
+
* 你 是 <em>怎么</em> 来 北京 的?<span class="trans">How did you come to Beijing?</span>\r\n* 你们 <em>是 不是</em> 去年 认识 的?<span class="trans">Did you meet each other last year?</span>
 
+
* 你的 车 <em>是 不是</em> 你弟弟 开 走 的?<span class="trans">Was your car driven away by your brother?</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== 是 is often optional ==\r\nAlthough this structure is called the 是... 的 construction, the 是 is nearly always optional. You will often hear this structure with 是 omitted, so be aware. The only time 是 is required in this construction is when it's being negated. Other than that, 是 is commonly omitted.\r\nSome examples:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 他 (是) 昨天 来 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">He came yesterday.</span>
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 你 是 用 手枪 杀害 他 的 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Did you use a pistol to murder him?</span>
 
* 他 是 坐 飞机 去 意大利 的 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Did you take a plane to Italy?</span>
 
 
 
* 你 是 跟 <em>谁</em> 出去 的?<span class="trans">Who did you go out with?</span>
 
* 你 是 <em>怎么</em> 来 北京 的?<span class="trans">How did you come to Beijing?</span>
 
 
 
* 你们 <em>是 不是</em> 去年 认识 的?<span class="trans">Did you meet each other last year?</span>
 
* 你的 车 <em>是 不是</em> 你弟弟 开 走 的?<span class="trans">Was your car driven away by your brother?</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
== 是 is often optional ==
 
 
 
Although this structure is called the 是... 的 construction, the 是 is nearly always optional. You will often hear this structure with 是 omitted, so be aware. The only time 是 is required in this construction is when it's being negated. Other than that, 是 is commonly omitted.
 
 
 
Some examples:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 他 (是) 昨天 来 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">He came yesterday.</span>
 
 
* 我们 (是) 两 个 月 以前 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">We met two months ago.</span>
 
* 我们 (是) 两 个 月 以前 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">We met two months ago.</span>
* 我 (是) 用 中文 问路 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I used Chinese to ask the way.</span>
+
* 我 (是) 用 中文 问路 <em>的</em>。<span class="trans">I used Chinese to ask the way.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n== Where to put 的 in a 是... 的 construction ==\r\nUp till now we've said that 的 appears at the end of the sentence in a 是... 的 construction. This is very often the case. However, if there's an object, 的 can appear before the object.\r\nFor example:\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 英语。<span class="trans">I studied English in England.</span>\r\n</div>\r\nNote that if the object is a person, 的 has to go at the end of the sentence. Otherwise it can go before the object or at the end of the sentence.\r\nSometimes this arrangement is useful for avoiding [[ambiguity]] in the sentence.\r\n== More 是... 的 emphasis examples ==\r\nThe 是... 的 construction is very versatile and can be used to pick out a large variety of details in a sentence. Have a look at the examples below to get a stronger grasp of how this structure can be used.\r\n=== Focusing on time ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>上 个 星期五</strong> 来 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"last Friday" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came last Friday.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
== Where to put 的 in a 是... 的 construction ==
 
 
 
Up till now we've said that 的 appears at the end of the sentence in a 是... 的 construction. This is very often the case. However, if there's an object, 的 can appear before the object.
 
 
 
For example:
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学 <em>的</em> 英语。<span class="trans">I studied English in England.</span>
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
Note that if the object is a person, 的 has to go at the end of the sentence. Otherwise it can go before the object or at the end of the sentence.
 
 
 
Sometimes this arrangement is useful for avoiding [[ambiguity]] in the sentence.
 
 
 
== More 是... 的 emphasis examples ==
 
 
 
The 是... 的 construction is very versatile and can be used to pick out a large variety of details in a sentence. Have a look at the examples below to get a stronger grasp of how this structure can be used.
 
 
 
=== Focusing on time ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>上 个 星期五</strong> 来 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"last Friday" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came last Friday.</span>
 
 
* 那 时候,我 <em>是</em> <strong>每 天</strong> 坐 车 上班 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"every day" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Back then, I rode my bicycle to work every day.</span>
 
* 那 时候,我 <em>是</em> <strong>每 天</strong> 坐 车 上班 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"every day" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Back then, I rode my bicycle to work every day.</span>
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>十 年 以前</strong> 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"ten years ago" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We met each other ten years ago.</span>
+
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>十 年 以前</strong> 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"ten years ago" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We met each other ten years ago.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n=== Focusing on place ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>在 美国</strong> 学习 英文 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in America" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She studied English in America.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Focusing on place ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>在 美国</strong> 学习 英文 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in America" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She studied English in America.</span>
 
 
* 他们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 图书馆</strong> 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in the library" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">They met each other in the library.</span>
 
* 他们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 图书馆</strong> 认识 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in the library" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">They met each other in the library.</span>
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 家里</strong> 喝醉 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in the house" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We got drunk in the house.</span>
+
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 家里</strong> 喝醉 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"in the house" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">We got drunk in the house.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n=== Focusing on manner ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 我 朋友</strong> 出去 玩 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"with my friends" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I went out to have a good time with my friends.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Focusing on manner ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 我 朋友</strong> 出去 玩 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"with my friends" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I went out to have a good time with my friends.</span>
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>开车</strong> 回家 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by car" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came home by car.</span>
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>开车</strong> 回家 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by car" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came home by car.</span>
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>花 了 半 个 小时</strong> 到 他 家 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">NEED EXPLANATION</span>
+
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>花 了 半 个 小时</strong> 到 他 家 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">NEED EXPLANATION</span>\r\n</div>\r\n=== Focusing on instrument ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>用 法文</strong> 写 <em>的</em> 信。<span class="expl">"used French" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I used French to write the letter.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Focusing on instrument ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>用 法文</strong> 写 <em>的</em> 信。<span class="expl">"used French" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I used French to write the letter.</span>
 
 
* 他 小 的时候 <em>是</em> <strong>用 筷子</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"used chopsticks" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">When I was younger, I used chopsticks to eat.</span>
 
* 他 小 的时候 <em>是</em> <strong>用 筷子</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"used chopsticks" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">When I was younger, I used chopsticks to eat.</span>
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>用 电脑</strong> 学习 汉语 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"used the computer" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She used the computer to study Chinese.</span>
+
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>用 电脑</strong> 学习 汉语 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"used the computer" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">She used the computer to study Chinese.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n=== Focusing on agent ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>被 谁</strong> 杀害 <em>的</em>?<span class="expl">"by whom" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Who was he killed by?</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Focusing on agent ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>被 谁</strong> 杀害 <em>的</em>?<span class="expl">"by whom" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Who was he killed by?</span>
 
 
* 我的 钱包 <em>是</em> <strong>被 男人</strong> 偷走 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by a man" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">My wallet was stolen by a man.</span>
 
* 我的 钱包 <em>是</em> <strong>被 男人</strong> 偷走 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by a man" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">My wallet was stolen by a man.</span>
* 你的 玩具 <em>是</em> <strong>被 你 妹妹</strong> 弄破 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by your sister" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Your toy was broken by your sister.</span>
+
* 你的 玩具 <em>是</em> <strong>被 你 妹妹</strong> 弄破 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"by your sister" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Your toy was broken by your sister.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n: ''See also: [[Bei sentence|被 sentence]]''\r\n=== Focusing on target ===\r\n<div class="liju">\r\n* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>给 谁</strong> 做 <em>的</em> 饭?<span class="expl">"who" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Who did you make food for?</span>
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
: ''See also: [[Bei sentence|被 sentence]]''
 
 
 
=== Focusing on target ===
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>给 谁</strong> 做 <em>的</em> 饭?<span class="expl">"who" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">Who did you make food for?</span>
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>为 你</strong> 回来 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"for you" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came back for you.</span>
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>为 你</strong> 回来 <em>的</em>。<span class="expl">"for you" is emphasized.</span><span class="trans">I came back for you.</span>
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>对 你</strong> 说 <em>的</em> 这件事?<span class="expl">"to you" is emphasized.</span>
+
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>对 你</strong> 说 <em>的</em> 这件事?<span class="expl">"to you" is emphasized.</span>\r\n</div>\r\n==See also==
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
==See also==
 
 
*[[的 (modal particle)]]
 
*[[的 (modal particle)]]
 
*[[Adding emphasis with "jiushi"]]
 
*[[Adding emphasis with "jiushi"]]
*[[Uses of "shi... de"]]
+
*[[Uses of "shi... de"]]\r\n== Sources and further  reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 577-9) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
 
 
== Sources and further  reading ==
 
 
 
=== Books ===
 
 
 
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 577-9) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
 
 
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 54-5) [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]] (pp. 54-5) [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]  
 
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 46-7, 173-80) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
 
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 46-7, 173-80) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
Line 257: Line 47:
 
* [[Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下) ]] (pp. 66-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913656/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913656 →buy]
 
* [[Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下) ]] (pp. 66-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913656/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913656 →buy]
 
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)]] (p. 530)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
 
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)]] (p. 530)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (p. 205)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (p. 205)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]\r\n=== Websites ===\r\n* University website: [http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Lang%20work/Grammar%20database/grammar_database1.htm#The%20shi%20...%20de%20%20construction The shi ... de  construction]
 
+
* East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/2713/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/shi-de-construction/ The 是 … 的 construction in Mandarin]\r\n[[Category:Structures]]
=== Websites ===
 
 
 
* University website: [http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Lang%20work/Grammar%20database/grammar_database1.htm#The%20shi%20...%20de%20%20construction The shi ... de  construction]
 
* East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/2713/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/shi-de-construction/ The 是 … 的 construction in Mandarin]
 
 
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
 
{{Similar|Adding Emphasis with "jiushi"}}
 
{{Similar|Adding Emphasis with "jiushi"}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}

Revision as of 06:09, 26 November 2013

\r\n

Also known as: 是⋯⋯的结构 (shì ... de jiégòu), 是... 的 sentence and 是... 的 pattern.\r\nThe 是... 的 construction is used to draw particular attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasising a particular detail. \r\nWhile not strictly tied to any "tense," the 是... 的 construction is frequently used when asking details about the past or telling details about the past.\r\n== Basic 是... 的 structure ==\r\nA 是... 的 sentence is formed with this structure:\r\n
\r\nSubject + 是 + information to be emphasized + Verb + 的\r\n
\r\nThis structure can be used to emphasise any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes time, manner, or place. Don't worry if this still seems a little confusing; lots of straightforward examples are coming up!\r\n== Simple Question Examples ==\r\nThese are some of the most common questions asked using the 是... 的 construction and some possible answers:\r\n
\r\n* 你 怎么 来 (Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner") How did you come?
  • 怎么 做 (Emphasizing "how" or "in what manner") How did you do it?
  • 谁 告诉 你 (Emphasizing "who") Who was it that told you?
  • 什么时候 来 (Emphasizing "when") When did you come?\r\n\r\nYou might be wondering, "can I still say the same thing without the 是 and the 的?" The answer is that in most cases, no, not really. While the 是 can sometimes be dropped, these examples sound weird without the 的. It's just a part of learning to ask questions naturally in Mandarin. You don't have to learn a "past tense," but you do have to learn this way of asking for details about the past, sooner or later.\r\n== Other Examples ==\r\nSome examples where time is emphasized:\r\n
    \r\n* 我们 昨天"Yesterday" is emphasized.We came yesterday.
  • 去年 到 北京 去 "Last year is emphasized.He went to Beijing last year.\r\n\r\nSome examples where manner is emphasized:\r\n
    \r\n* 她 坐 飞机 去 美国 "By plane" is emphasized.She went to America by plane.
  • 从 香港 转机 到 上海 "from Hong Kong" is emphasized" I'm coming to Shanghai from Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nSome examples where place is emphasized:\r\n
    \r\n* 我 在 英国 学 英文 "In Britain" is emphasized.I studied English in Britain.
  • 在 中国 出生 "In China" is emphasized.You were born in China.\r\n\r\n== Singling out details for emphasis with 是... 的 ==\r\nAs mentioned above, a 是... 的 construction can pick out any detail in a sentence. Whatever comes immediately after 是 is emphasized. So in the sentence below:\r\n
    \r\n* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭。I ate with my family in a restaurant last Saturday.\r\n
    \r\nWe can pick out any one of the details by putting 是 in front of it:\r\n
    \r\n* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭 "last Saturday" is emphasized.
  • 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭 "with my family" is emphasized.
  • 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭 "in a restaurant" is emphasized.\r\n\r\n== When to use 是... 的 ==\r\nAs described above, the 是... 的 construction is used to draw attention to particular information in a sentence. Whereas a sentence without a 是... 的 construction might describe a situation, a sentence with a 是... 的 construction explains it. 是... 的 is not generally used for reporting new information, but for adding important details that make the information clearer.\r\nYou could think of 是... 的 as being equivalent to saying one of the following in English:\r\n* "The situation is that"
  • "It's that ..."
  • "It was ... that ..."\r\nIf the sentence could be formed with one of those phrases in English, it can probably use a 是... 的 construction in Chinese. Usually the topic of a 是... 的 sentence has already been established.\r\n=== Completed action ===\r\nIt's important to note that a 是... 的 construction also indicates that an action has been completed. However, this is not the purpose of a 是... 的 construction. The association with a completed action is more like a side effect of 是... 的. This means you shouldn't use 是... 的 just to indicate that an action is completed. Use the aspect particle 了 for that. Instead, use 是... 的 to draw attention to particular features of the action.\r\n== Negating 是... 的 ==\r\n是... 的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Place 不 before 是 as you would in a standard sentence.\r\nSome examples:\r\n
    \r\n* 我们 是 坐 火车 来 的。We didn't come by train.
  • 这个电话 是 打给他的。This phone call wasn't given to him indeed.
  • 我们 是 去 看她 的。We didn't go to see her.\r\n\r\nNote that negating a 是... 的 construction creates the implication that the action in the sentence was carried out, and only the detail emphasized by 是... 的 is being denied. So, in the last sentence, the implication is that 你 didn't go out with 她, but did go out with someone. So negative 是... 的 constructions would work nicely in the final scenes of detective dramas.\r\n== 是... 的 and questions ==\r\n是... 的 constructions can be made into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Chinese:\r\n* With a question particle
  • With a question word
  • Within affirmative-negative questions\r\nSome examples:\r\n
    \r\n* 你 是 用 手枪 杀害 他 的 Did you use a pistol to murder him?
  • 他 是 坐 飞机 去 意大利 的 Did you take a plane to Italy?\r\n* 你 是 跟 出去 的?Who did you go out with?
  • 你 是 怎么 来 北京 的?How did you come to Beijing?\r\n* 你们 是 不是 去年 认识 的?Did you meet each other last year?
  • 你的 车 是 不是 你弟弟 开 走 的?Was your car driven away by your brother?\r\n\r\n== 是 is often optional ==\r\nAlthough this structure is called the 是... 的 construction, the 是 is nearly always optional. You will often hear this structure with 是 omitted, so be aware. The only time 是 is required in this construction is when it's being negated. Other than that, 是 is commonly omitted.\r\nSome examples:\r\n
    \r\n* 他 (是) 昨天 来 He came yesterday.
  • 我们 (是) 两 个 月 以前 认识 We met two months ago.
  • 我 (是) 用 中文 问路 I used Chinese to ask the way.\r\n\r\n== Where to put 的 in a 是... 的 construction ==\r\nUp till now we've said that 的 appears at the end of the sentence in a 是... 的 construction. This is very often the case. However, if there's an object, 的 can appear before the object.\r\nFor example:\r\n
    \r\n* 我 在 英国 英语。I studied English in England.\r\n
    \r\nNote that if the object is a person, 的 has to go at the end of the sentence. Otherwise it can go before the object or at the end of the sentence.\r\nSometimes this arrangement is useful for avoiding ambiguity in the sentence.\r\n== More 是... 的 emphasis examples ==\r\nThe 是... 的 construction is very versatile and can be used to pick out a large variety of details in a sentence. Have a look at the examples below to get a stronger grasp of how this structure can be used.\r\n=== Focusing on time ===\r\n
    \r\n* 我 上 个 星期五"last Friday" is emphasized.I came last Friday.
  • 那 时候,我 每 天 坐 车 上班 "every day" is emphasized.Back then, I rode my bicycle to work every day.
  • 我们 十 年 以前 认识 "ten years ago" is emphasized.We met each other ten years ago.\r\n\r\n=== Focusing on place ===\r\n
    \r\n* 她 在 美国 学习 英文 "in America" is emphasized.She studied English in America.
  • 他们 在 图书馆 认识 "in the library" is emphasized.They met each other in the library.
  • 我们 在 家里 喝醉 "in the house" is emphasized.We got drunk in the house.\r\n\r\n=== Focusing on manner ===\r\n
    \r\n* 我 跟 我 朋友 出去 玩 "with my friends" is emphasized.I went out to have a good time with my friends.
  • 开车 回家 "by car" is emphasized.I came home by car.
  • 花 了 半 个 小时 到 他 家 NEED EXPLANATION\r\n\r\n=== Focusing on instrument ===\r\n
    \r\n* 我 用 法文 信。"used French" is emphasized.I used French to write the letter.
  • 他 小 的时候 用 筷子 吃饭 "used chopsticks" is emphasized.When I was younger, I used chopsticks to eat.
  • 用 电脑 学习 汉语 "used the computer" is emphasized.She used the computer to study Chinese.\r\n\r\n=== Focusing on agent ===\r\n
    \r\n* 他 被 谁 杀害 "by whom" is emphasized.Who was he killed by?
  • 我的 钱包 被 男人 偷走 "by a man" is emphasized.My wallet was stolen by a man.
  • 你的 玩具 被 你 妹妹 弄破 "by your sister" is emphasized.Your toy was broken by your sister.\r\n\r\n: See also: 被 sentence\r\n=== Focusing on target ===\r\n
    \r\n* 你 给 谁 饭?"who" is emphasized.Who did you make food for?
  • 为 你 回来 "for you" is emphasized.I came back for you.
  • 对 你 这件事?"to you" is emphasized.\r\n\r\n==See also==
  • 的 (modal particle)
  • Adding emphasis with "jiushi"
  • Uses of "shi... de"\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n* A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (pp. 577-9) →buy
  • Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 54-5) →buy
  • Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 46-7, 173-80) →buy
  • Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 319-22) →buy
  • Contemporary Chinese 2 (当代中文2) (pp. 46) →buy
  • Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 119-121) →buy
  • Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 14-6) →buy
  • Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 152-4) →buy
  • Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 587-94) →buy
  • Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 233-5) →buy
  • New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 88-9, 153) →buy
  • New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 204-5) →buy
  • Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下) (pp. 66-8) →buy
  • 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册) (p. 530)→buy
  • 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册) (p. 205)→buy\r\n=== Websites ===\r\n* University website: The shi ... de construction
  • East Asia Student: The 是 … 的 construction in Mandarin\r\n