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

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{{Grammar Box}}
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{{Grammar Box}}  
  
{{AKA|是⋯⋯的结构 (shì ... de jiégòu)|是 ... 的 sentence|是 ... 的 pattern}}
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{{AKA|是⋯⋯的结构 (shì... de jiégòu)|是⋯⋯的 sentence|是⋯⋯的 pattern}}
  
The ... construction is used to draw particular attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to respond to questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasising a particular detail.
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The 是⋯⋯的 (shì... de) construction is used to draw attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasizing a particular detail. While not strictly tied to any "tense," the 是⋯⋯的 construction is frequently used when asking or telling ''details'' about the past.
  
== Basic 是 ... 的 structure ==
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This use of 是⋯⋯的 (shì... de) is usually emphasized in textbooks over other uses, and therefore is sometimes called the "classic" 是⋯⋯的 construction.
  
A 是 ... 的 sentence is formed with this structure:
+
== When to Use It ==
  
<div class="jiegou">
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Even if you understand that 了 is not used to mark "past tense" in Chinese, it's possible that you incorrectly use it that way sometimes. For example, what if you want to ask a question about something that happened in the past? Would you ever say one of the following sentences?
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
  
Subject + 是 + <em>information to emphasized</em> + Verb + 的
+
<ul>
 +
<li class="x">你 昨天 <strong>几点</strong> 到 <em>了</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zuótiān <strong>jǐ diǎn</strong> dào <em>le</em>?</span><span class="trans">What time did you arrive yesterday?</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">你 跟 <strong>谁</strong> 去 <em>了</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ gēn <strong>shéi</strong> qù <em>le</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who did you go with?</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">他 <strong>用 什么</strong> 打 你 <em>了</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>yòng shénme</strong> dǎ nǐ <em>le</em>?</span><span class="trans">What did he use to hit you?</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
This structure can be used to emphasise any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes '''time''', '''manner''', or '''place'''.
+
In each of these sentences above, 了 is not the right choice, because you're not asking if an event happened or not. You're asking about details of past events. When you are singling out details for emphasis--in a question or a statement--you need to use the 是⋯⋯的 construction.
 
 
== Examples ==
 
  
Some examples where '''time''' is emphasized:
+
A 是⋯⋯的 construction can pick out any detail that's related to a past event. Whatever comes immediately after 是 is emphasized. Check out this example:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>昨天</strong> <em>的</em><span class="expl">("Yesterday" is emphasized.)</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>去年</strong> 到 北京 去 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">("Last year is emphasized.)</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 昨天 我 去 杭州 了。<span class="pinyin">Zuótiān wǒ qù Hángzhōu le.</span><span class="trans">I went to Hangzhou yesterday.</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 你 <em>是</em> <strong>怎么</strong> <em>的</em> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>shì</em> <strong>zěnme</strong> qù <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">How did you get there?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 <em>是</em> <strong>坐 火车</strong> 去 <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>shì</em> <strong>zuò huǒchē </strong> qù <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">I went by train.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Some examples where '''manner''' is emphasized:
+
Now let's revisit those other three sentences and ask the questions correctly with 是⋯⋯的:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<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>
+
<ul>
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 他 朋友</strong> 唱歌 <em>的</em><span class="expl">("With his friends" is emphasized.)</span>
+
<li class="o">你 昨天 <em>是</em> <strong>几点</strong> 到 <em>的</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zuótiān <em>shì</em> <strong>jǐ diǎn</strong> dào <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">What time did you arrive yesterday?</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">你 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 谁</strong> 去 <em>的</em> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>shì</em> <strong>gēn shéi </strong> qù <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who did you go with?</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">他 <em>是</em> <strong>用 什么</strong> 打 你 <em>的</em> <span class="pinyin">Tā <em>shì</em> <strong>yòng shénme</strong> dǎ nǐ <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">What did he use to hit you?</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Some examples where '''place''' is emphasized:
+
== Affirmative Form ==
  
<div class="liju">
+
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 was...  that... "
  
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学 英文 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">("In Britain" is emphasized.)</span>
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=== Structure ===
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 中国</strong> 出生 <em>的</em>。 <span class="expl">("In China" is emphasized.)</span>
 
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 是 + [Information to be Emphasized] + Verb + 的
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Singling out details for emphasis with 是... 的 ==
+
This structure can be used to emphasize any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes '''time''', '''manner''', or '''place'''. Don't worry if this still seems a little confusing; lots of helpful examples are coming up!
  
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:
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 在 饭馆 吃饭。
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你们 <em>是</em> <strong>什么 时候</strong> 到 <em>的</em> ?<span class="expl">Emphasizing "when"</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>shì</em> <strong>shénme shíhou</strong> dào <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">When did you guys arrive?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>昨天</strong> 到 <em>的</em> 。<span class="expl">"Yesterday" is emphasized.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>shì</em> <strong>zuótiān</strong> dào <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">We arrived yesterday.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
We can pick out any one of the details by putting 是 in front of it:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<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>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 我 上 个 星期六 <em></em> <strong>跟 我 家人</strong> 在 饭馆 吃饭 <em></em>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>是</em> <strong>在 哪儿</strong> 出生 <em>的</em> ?<span class="expl">"Where" is emphasized.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>shì</em> <strong>zài nǎr</strong> chūshēng <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where were you born?</span></li>
* 上 个 星期六 跟 我 家人 <em>是</em> <strong>在 饭馆</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em>是</em> <strong>在 香港</strong> 出生 <em>的</em> 。<span class="expl">"In Hong Kong" is emphasized.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>shì</em> <strong>zài Xiānggǎng</strong> chūshēng <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">I was born in Hong Kong.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== When to use 是... 的 ==
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Although this structure is called the 是⋯⋯的 construction, the 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.
  
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.
+
<div class="liju">
  
You could think of 是 ... 的 as being equivalent to saying one of the following in English:
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <strong>骑 自行车</strong> 来 <em>的</em> 吗 ?<span class="expl">Emphasizing "by bike"</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>qí zìxíngchē</strong> lái <em>de</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you come by bike? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <strong>走</strong> 来 <em>的</em> 。<span class="expl">Emphasizing "by foot"</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>zǒu</strong> lái <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">I came by foot.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 +
</div>
  
* "The situation is that"
+
<div class="liju">
* "It's that ..."
 
* "It was ... that ..."
 
  
If the sentence could be formed with one of those phrases in English, it can probably use a 是 ... construction in Chinese. Usually the topic of a 是 ... 的 sentence has already been established.
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <strong>谁</strong> 告诉 你 <em>的</em> ?<span class="expl">Emphasizing "who"</span><span class="pinyin"><strong>Shéi</strong> gàosu nǐ <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who told you? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> <strong>一 个 同事</strong> 告诉 我 <em></em> 。<span class="expl">Emphasizing "a colleague"</span><span class="pinyin"><strong>Yī gè tóngshì</strong> gàosu wǒ <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">A colleague told me.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
=== Completed action ===
+
</div>
  
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 ... construction. The association with a completed action is more like a ''side effect'' of ... 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.
+
You might be wondering, "can I still say the same thing without the 是 and the ?" The answer is that in most cases, ''no, not really''. While the 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.
  
== Negating 是 ... 的 ==
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== Negative Form ==
  
是 ... 的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Place before as you would in a standard sentence.
+
是⋯⋯的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Remember that you need ''both'' the ''and'' the together to make the correct negative form.
  
 
Some examples:
 
Some examples:
Line 90: Line 113:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我们 <em>不</em> 火车 的。
+
<ul>
* 他 <em></em> 是 用 毛笔 写 的 信。
+
<li class="o">他们 <em>不是</em> <strong>在 网上</strong> 认识 <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>bù shì</em> <strong>zài wǎngshàng</strong> rènshi <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">They didn't meet online.</span></li>
* 你 <em>不</em> 是 跟 她 出去 的。
+
<li class="o">他 <em>不是</em> <strong>跟 我们 一起</strong> 去 <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bù shì</em> <strong>gēn wǒmen  yīqǐ</strong> qù <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">He didn't go with us.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">我 <em>不</em> <strong>地铁</strong> 来 <em></em> 。<span class="expl">The is missing</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù</em> <strong>zuò dìtiě</strong> lái <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">I didn't come by metro.</span></li>
 +
<li class="x">我 <em>不</em> <strong>在 中国</strong> 出生 <em>的</em> 。<span class="expl">The is missing</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù</em> <strong>zài Zhōngguó</strong> chūshēng <em>de</em>. </span><span class="trans">I wasn't born in China.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</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 didn't go out with , but ''did'' go out with ''someone''. So negative 是 ... 的 constructions would work nicely in the final scenes of detective dramas.
+
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 second sentence, the implication is that didn't go with 我们, 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 ==
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== Used in a Question ==
  
是 ... 的 constructions can be made into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Chinese:
+
是⋯⋯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 [[Interrogative Sentences#Question particles|question particle]]
 +
* Within [[affirmative-negative questions]]
 
* 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]]
* With [[Interrogative Sentences#Positive-negative questions|positive-negative inversion]]
 
 
Some examples:
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
* 你 是 用 手枪 杀害 他 的 <em>吗</em>?
 
* 他 是 坐 飞机 去 意大利 的 <em>吗</em>?
 
 
* 你 是 跟 <em>谁</em> 出去 的?
 
* 你 是 <em>怎么</em> 来 北京 的?
 
 
* 你们 <em>是 不是</em> 去年 认识 的?
 
* 你的 自行车 <em>是 不是</em> 被 这 个 人 偷走 的?
 
 
</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:
 
Some examples:
Line 129: Line 136:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他 (是) 昨天 来 <em>的</em>
+
*她 <strong>用 邮件</strong> 回复 <em>的</em> 吗 ?<span class="expl">吗 is a question particle</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>yòng yóujiàn</strong> huífù <em>de</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Did she reply by email?</span>
* 我们 (是) 两 个 月 以前 认识 <em>的</em>
+
*你们 <em>是 不 是</em> <strong>去年</strong> 认识 <em>的</em> ?<span class="expl">是不是 is an affirmative-negative pattern</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>shì bu shì</em> <strong>qùnián</strong> rènshi <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">Did you meet each other last year?</span>
* 我 (是) 用 中文 问路 <em>的</em>
+
*这个 东西 <strong>多少钱</strong> 买 <em>的</em> ?<span class="expl">多少 is a question word</span><span class="pinyin">Zhège dōngxi <strong>duōshao qián</strong> mǎi <em>de</em>?</span><span class="trans">How much did you buy this thing for?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Where to put 的 in a ... 的 construction ==
+
== Is always optional? ==
 
 
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:
+
Generally, 是 can be omitted, and the meaning will not change. However, in a small number of cases, omitting 是 will make it unclear which part of the sentence is being emphasized. In these cases, 是 clearly indicates which words are being emphasized. Take a look at this example:  
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em></em> <strong>在 英国</strong> 学习 <em></em> 英语。
+
* 你 上周 和 他 去 北京 <em></em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shàng zhōu hé tā qù Běijīng  <em>de</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you go to Beijing with him last weekend?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</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.
+
This sentence could emphasize 上周 (time), or 和他 (part of the subject). A simple 是 can make clear which one the speaker is emphasizing.
 
 
Sometimes this arrangement is useful for avoiding [[ambiguity]] in the sentence.
 
 
 
== More 是 ... 的 emphasis examples ==
 
 
 
The ... 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">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>上 个 星期五</strong> <em>的</em>
+
<ul>
* 那 时候,我 <em>是</em> <strong>每 天</strong> 坐 车 上班 <em>的</em>
+
<li class="o">你 <em>是</em> <strong>上周</strong> 和 他 去 北京 <em>的</em> 吗 ?<span class="expl">上周 is emphasized</span><span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>shì</em> <strong>shàng zhōu</strong> hé tā qù Běijīng <em>de </em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Was it last week that you went to Beijing with him?</span></li>
* 我们 <em></em> <strong>十 年 以前</strong> 认识 <em></em>
+
<li class="o">你 上周 <em>是</em> <strong>和他</strong> 去 北京 <em>的</em> 吗 ?<span class="expl">和他 is emphasized</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shàng zhōu <em>shì</em> <strong>hé tā</strong> qù Běijīng <em>de</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Was it him that you went to Beijing with last week?</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Focusing on place ===
+
== Position of 的 ==
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>在 美国</strong> 学习 英文 <em>的</em>。
 
* 他们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 图书馆</strong> 认识 <em>的</em>。
 
* 我们 <em>是</em> <strong>在 家里</strong> 喝醉 <em>的</em>。
 
 
 
</div>
 
  
=== Focusing on manner ===
+
Until now we've said that the 的 appears at the end of the sentence in a 是⋯⋯的 construction. This is very often the case. However, it can actually appear in one of two places. Take a look at the examples below:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>跟 我 朋友</strong> 出去 玩 <em>的</em>。
+
<ul>
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>开车</strong> 回家 <em>的</em>。
+
<li class="o">我们 <em>是</em> <strong>用 Skype</strong> 开 <strong>会</strong> <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>shì</em> <strong>yòng Skype</strong> kāi <strong>huì</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">We had a meeting by Skype.</span></li>
* 他 <em></em> <strong>很 快地</strong> 到 他 家 来 <em></em>
+
<li class="o">我们 <em>是</em> <strong>用 Skype</strong> <em>的</em> <strong>会</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>shì</em> <strong>yòng Skype</strong> kāi <em>de</em> <strong>huì</strong>.</span><span class="trans">We had a meeting by Skype.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Focusing on instrument ===
+
As you can see, when the verb is followed by an object, can go before ''or'' after the object. Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the first the sentence could be referring to either a specific event in the past or habitual actions.
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
 
 
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>用 法文</strong> 写 <em></em> 信。
 
* 他 小 的时候 <em>是</em> <strong>用 筷子</strong> 吃饭 <em>的</em>。
 
* 她 <em>是</em> <strong>用 电脑</strong> 学习 汉语 <em>的</em>。
 
  
</div>
+
Take a look at these two sentences which remove the ambiguity by including a bit more information about the timeframe:
 
 
=== Focusing on agent ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
* <strong>那次</strong> 我们  <em>是</em> <strong>用 Skype</strong> 开 <strong>会</strong> <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin"> <strong>Nà cì</strong> wǒmen <em>shì</em> <strong>yòng Skype</strong> kāi <strong>huì</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">That time we had the meeting by Skype.</span>
* <em>是</em> <strong>被 谁</strong> 杀害 <em>的</em>
+
* 我们 <strong>平时</strong> <em>是</em> <strong>用 Skype</strong> 开 <strong>会</strong> <em>的</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <strong>píngshí</strong> <em>shì</em> <strong>yòng Skype</strong> kāi <strong>huì</strong> <em>de</em>.</span><span class="trans">We usually have meetings by Skype.</span>
* 我的 钱包 <em>是</em> <strong>被 男人</strong> 偷走 <em>的</em>。
 
* 你的 玩具 <em></em> <strong>被 你 妹妹</strong> 弄破 <em></em>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
: ''See also: [[Bei sentence|被 sentence]]''
+
For the most part, you should be fine regularly putting 的 at the end of your 是……的 sentences. Just be aware that there is some potential for ambiguity in certain situations. If you don't want to move 的 around, then including a bit of extra information about time can keep things clear.
  
=== Focusing on target ===
+
== Completed Action ==
  
<div class="liju">
+
It's important to note that while the 是⋯⋯的 construction also indicates that an action has been completed, this is not the ''purpose'' of a 是⋯⋯的 construction. The completed action part is more like a ''prerequisite'' for using 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 certain details of a completed action.
  
* 你 <em>是</em> <strong>给 谁</strong> 做 <em>的</em> 饭?
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== See also ==
* 我 <em>是</em> <strong>为 你</strong> 回来 <em>的</em>。
 
* 他 <em>是</em> <strong>对 你</strong> 感 兴趣 <em>的</em>。
 
 
 
</div>
 
  
==See also==
 
 
*[[的 (modal particle)]]
 
*[[的 (modal particle)]]
*[[Adding Emphasis with "jiushi"]]
+
*[[Adding emphasis with "jiushi"]]
 +
*[[The "shi... de" patterns: an overview]]
 +
*[[The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose]]
  
== Sources and further reading ==
+
== Sources and Further Reading ==
  
 
=== Books ===
 
=== 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]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|114}}
* [[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]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)|577-9}}
* [[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]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|54-5}}
* [[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) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|46-7, 173-80}}
* [[Contemporary Chinese 2 (当代中文2)]] (pp. 46) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7800529029/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7800529029 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) |319-22}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 14-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|Contemporary Chinese 2 (当代中文2)|46}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (pp. 152-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|119-121}}
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 587-94) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|14-6}}
* [[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]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|152-4}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 88-9, 153) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|587-94}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) ]] (pp. 204-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy]
+
{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|233-5}}
* [[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]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|88-9, 153}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) |204-5}}
 +
{{Source|Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下) |66-8}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)|530}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|205}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== 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]
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* 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:B1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
[[Category:Structures]]
{{Similar|Adding Emphasis with "jiushi"}}
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{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 +
{{Used for|Referring to the past}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|是|B1|是⋯⋯ 的|你 <em>是</em> 怎么 来 <em>的</em>?|grammar point|ASGE662E}}
 +
{{Similar|The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose}}
 +
{{Similar|The "shi... de" patterns: an overview}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}
{{Basic Grammar|是|B1|是… 的|你 <em>是</em> 哪里 来 <em>的</em>?/ 你 <em>是</em> 怎么 来 <em>的</em>?|grammar point|ASG8YTSF}}
 
 
{{Rel char|的}}
 
{{Rel char|的}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}

Latest revision as of 09:23, 20 April 2021

Also known as: 是⋯⋯的结构 (shì... de jiégòu), 是⋯⋯的 sentence and 是⋯⋯的 pattern.

The 是⋯⋯的 (shì... de) construction is used to draw attention to certain information in a sentence. It's often used to ask questions that seek specific information, or to explain a situation by emphasizing a particular detail. While not strictly tied to any "tense," the 是⋯⋯的 construction is frequently used when asking or telling details about the past.

This use of 是⋯⋯的 (shì... de) is usually emphasized in textbooks over other uses, and therefore is sometimes called the "classic" 是⋯⋯的 construction.

When to Use It

Even if you understand that 了 is not used to mark "past tense" in Chinese, it's possible that you incorrectly use it that way sometimes. For example, what if you want to ask a question about something that happened in the past? Would you ever say one of the following sentences?

  • 你 昨天 几点Nǐ zuótiān jǐ diǎn dào le?What time did you arrive yesterday?
  • 你 跟 Nǐ gēn shéile?Who did you go with?
  • 用 什么 打 你 yòng shénme dǎ nǐ le?What did he use to hit you?

In each of these sentences above, 了 is not the right choice, because you're not asking if an event happened or not. You're asking about details of past events. When you are singling out details for emphasis--in a question or a statement--you need to use the 是⋯⋯的 construction.

A 是⋯⋯的 construction can pick out any detail that's related to a past event. Whatever comes immediately after 是 is emphasized. Check out this example:

  • A: 昨天 我 去 杭州 了。Zuótiān wǒ qù Hángzhōu le.I went to Hangzhou yesterday.
  • B: 怎么shì zěnmede?How did you get there?
  • A: 坐 火车shì zuò huǒchē de.I went by train.

Now let's revisit those other three sentences and ask the questions correctly with 是⋯⋯的:

  • 你 昨天 几点Nǐ zuótiān shì jǐ diǎn dào de?What time did you arrive yesterday?
  • 跟 谁shì gēn shéi de?Who did you go with?
  • 用 什么 打 你 shì yòng shénme dǎ nǐ de?What did he use to hit you?

Affirmative Form

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 was... that... "

Structure

Subj. + 是 + [Information to be Emphasized] + Verb + 的

This structure can be used to emphasize any detail, but most commonly it emphasizes time, manner, or place. Don't worry if this still seems a little confusing; lots of helpful examples are coming up!

Examples

  • A: 你们 什么 时候Emphasizing "when"Nǐmen shì shénme shíhou dào de?When did you guys arrive?
  • B: 我们 昨天"Yesterday" is emphasized.Wǒmen shì zuótiān dào de.We arrived yesterday.
  • A: 在 哪儿 出生 "Where" is emphasized.shì zài nǎr chūshēng de?Where were you born?
  • B: 在 香港 出生 "In Hong Kong" is emphasized.shì zài Xiānggǎng chūshēng de.I was born in Hong Kong.

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.

  • A:骑 自行车 吗 ?Emphasizing "by bike"qí zìxíngchē lái de ma?Did you come by bike?
  • B:Emphasizing "by foot"zǒu lái de.I came by foot.
  • A: 告诉 你 Emphasizing "who"Shéi gàosu nǐ de?Who told you?
  • B: 一 个 同事 告诉 我 Emphasizing "a colleague"Yī gè tóngshì gàosu wǒ de.A colleague told me.

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.

Negative Form

是⋯⋯的 sentences can only be negated with 不, as 没 can not be used to negate 是. Remember that you need both the 不 and the 是 together to make the correct negative form.

Some examples:

  • 他们 不是 在 网上 认识 Tāmen bù shì zài wǎngshàng rènshi de.They didn't meet online.
  • 不是 跟 我们 一起bù shì gēn wǒmen yīqǐde.He didn't go with us.
  • 坐 地铁The 是 is missing zuò dìtiě lái de.I didn't come by metro.
  • 在 中国 出生 The 是 is missing zài Zhōngguó chūshēng de. I wasn't born in China.

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 second sentence, the implication is that 他 didn't go with 我们, but did go out with someone. So negative 是⋯⋯的 constructions would work nicely in the final scenes of detective dramas.

Used in a Question

是⋯⋯的 constructions can be made into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Chinese:

Some examples:

  • 用 邮件 回复 吗 ?吗 is a question particleyòng yóujiàn huífù de ma?Did she reply by email?
  • 你们 是 不 是 去年 认识 是不是 is an affirmative-negative patternNǐmen shì bu shì qùnián rènshi de?Did you meet each other last year?
  • 这个 东西 多少钱多少 is a question wordZhège dōngxi duōshao qián mǎi de?How much did you buy this thing for?

Is 是 always optional?

Generally, 是 can be omitted, and the meaning will not change. However, in a small number of cases, omitting 是 will make it unclear which part of the sentence is being emphasized. In these cases, 是 clearly indicates which words are being emphasized. Take a look at this example:

  • 你 上周 和 他 去 北京 吗 ?Nǐ shàng zhōu hé tā qù Běijīng de ma?Did you go to Beijing with him last weekend?

This sentence could emphasize 上周 (time), or 和他 (part of the subject). A simple 是 can make clear which one the speaker is emphasizing.

  • 上周 和 他 去 北京 吗 ?上周 is emphasizedshì shàng zhōu hé tā qù Běijīng de ma?Was it last week that you went to Beijing with him?
  • 你 上周 和他 去 北京 吗 ?和他 is emphasizedNǐ shàng zhōu shì hé tā qù Běijīng de ma?Was it him that you went to Beijing with last week?

Position of 的

Until now we've said that the 的 appears at the end of the sentence in a 是⋯⋯的 construction. This is very often the case. However, it can actually appear in one of two places. Take a look at the examples below:

  • 我们 用 Skype Wǒmen shì yòng Skype kāi huì de.We had a meeting by Skype.
  • 我们 用 Skype Wǒmen shì yòng Skype kāi de huì.We had a meeting by Skype.

As you can see, when the verb is followed by an object, 的 can go before or after the object. Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the first the sentence could be referring to either a specific event in the past or habitual actions.

Take a look at these two sentences which remove the ambiguity by including a bit more information about the timeframe:

  • 那次 我们 用 Skype Nà cì wǒmen shì yòng Skype kāi huì de.That time we had the meeting by Skype.
  • 我们 平时 用 Skype Wǒmen píngshí shì yòng Skype kāi huì de.We usually have meetings by Skype.

For the most part, you should be fine regularly putting 的 at the end of your 是……的 sentences. Just be aware that there is some potential for ambiguity in certain situations. If you don't want to move 的 around, then including a bit of extra information about time can keep things clear.

Completed Action

It's important to note that while the 是⋯⋯的 construction also indicates that an action has been completed, this is not the purpose of a 是⋯⋯的 construction. The completed action part is more like a prerequisite for using 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 certain details of a completed action.

See also

Sources and Further Reading

Books

Websites