HSK Grammar Points > 是 ( shì )
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To be
【Subject + 是 + Object(Noun)】
used to say something about the subject, to show a feature or characteristic.- Wǒmen shì hǎo péngyǒu.我们是好朋友。We are good friends． 290Zhè shì dì èr cì miànshì.这是第二次面试。This is the second interview. 12419
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(used to indicate existence)
【Position + 是 + Object】
used to show the position of something- Jiàoshì qiánmiàn shì hēibǎn.教室前面是黑板。There is a blackboard at the front of the classroom. 1799Chuáng pángbiān shì gè shūjià.床旁边是个书架。Next to the bed is a bookshelf. 13750
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Yes
【是 or 是的】
used to answer a question, expressing willingness or agreement.- Jīhū suǒyǒu de xuéshēng dōu shuō"shì".几乎所有的学生都说"是"。Almost all the students said "yes". 5779“Nǐ chī bǎole ma?”“Shì de, xièxiè.”“你吃饱了吗？”“是的，谢谢。”"Are you full?" "Yes, thank you." 13737
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(used in 是-的)
【Subject + (不) 是 + ⋯⋯ + 的】
是-的 is to describe or emphasize sth. (The adverb 不 can negate the sentence.)- Tāmen juéduì shì zhēn de.它们绝对是真的。They are absolutely real. 622Zhèxiē huà bùshì zhēnduì nǐ de.这些话不是针对你的。These words are not directed at you. 13745
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(used in Tag Questions)
【⋯，是吗？是吧？是不是？】
是 can be used to ask Tag Questions.- Zhè jìshù hěn liǎobùqǐ, shì bùshì?这技术很了不起，是不是？This technology is amazing, isn't it? 9862Nǐ huì bǎ chē jiè gěi wǒ, shì ba?你会把车借给我，是吧？You will lend me your car, right? 12113
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always
【总是/老是 + Verb/Adj./Adv.】
As an adverb, 总是/老是 means again and again, used to modify Verb, Adjective or Adverb.- Tā de bàngōngshì zǒngshì hěn luàn.他的办公室总是很乱。His office is always messy. 10688Nǐ lǎoshì bàoyuàn.你老是抱怨。You're always complaining. 13736
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still | had better | or
【还是 + Verb/Adv./Adj.】【Choice 1 + 还是 + Choice 2】
还是 can be used as an Adverb or as a Conjunction in the sentence.- Nǐ zànchéng háishì fǎnduì wǒ de tíyì?你赞成还是反对我的提议？Are you for or against my proposal? 10244Wǒ háishì hěn è.我还是很饿。I'm still hungry. 10761Xià yǔle, nǐ háishì dài bǎ sǎn ba.下雨了，你还是带把伞吧。It's raining, you'd better take an umbrella with you. 10912
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whether or not
【是否 + Verb/Adj.】
used as an adverb to modify Verb or Adjective- Zhè qǔjué yú tā shìfǒu yǒu shíjiān.这取决于她是否有时间。It depends on whether or not she has the time. 11328Zhè zhǒng chǎnpǐn shìfǒu ānquán?这种产品是否安全？Is this product safe or not? 13746
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if
【要是⋯(的话), ⋯。】
As a conjunction, 要是 is used to say IN THAT SITUATION.- Yàoshì fāngbiàn dehuà, wǒmen kěyǐ míngtiān jiànmiàn.要是方便的话，我们可以明天见面。If it is convenient for you, we could meet tomorrow. 11210Yàoshi wǒ shì nǐ, wǒ jiù bù huì zhèyàng mǎhu.要是我是你，我就不会这样马虎。If I were you, I wouldn't be so careless. 12765
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so | and then
【⋯，于是⋯。】
As a conjunction, 于是 can express "so; and then; thus; whereupon"- Tā fāxiànle wèntí, yúshì gǎibiànle tàidù.他发现了问题，于是改变了态度。He found the problem, so he changed his attitude. 13738
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but
【⋯，但是/可是⋯。】
used to introduce an added statement, usually something that is different from what you have said before- Wǒ xiàng tā dàoqiàn, dànshì tā bù jiēshòu.我向她道歉，但是她不接受。I offered her an apology, but she wouldn't accept it. 10158Wǒ dǎguò diànhuà, kěshì diànhuà zhànxiàn.我打过电话，可是电话占线。I called but the line was busy. 10451
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not...but
【Subject + 不是⋯，而是⋯。】
而是 is used to introduce a different statement.- Tā bùshì wǒ de dírén érshì wǒ de péngyǒu.他不是我的敌人而是我的朋友。He is not my enemy but my friend. 13112Tā bùshì huàjiā érshì zuòjiā.她不是画家而是作家。She's not a painter but a writer. 13739
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either⋯or⋯
【Subject + 不是⋯，就是⋯。】
used when referring to a choice between two possibilities- Tā bùshì kàn diànshì, jiùshì wán yóuxì.他不是看电视，就是玩游戏。He is either watching TV or playing games. 4077