HSK 1Grammar

Being with 是

Saying who we are, what it is

Affirmation: A 是 B

是 (shì) links two nouns, like "to be" in English: "A is B". Good news: it never conjugates, regardless of person or tense.

Subject + 是 + Noun

I am a student.

He is a teacher.

This is my book.

To negate, simply place 不 (bù) before 是.

Subject + 不是 + Noun

I am not Chinese.

She is not a doctor.

In Chinese, you don't say "I am happy" with 是: the adjective stands alone, often preceded by 很 (hěn).

Subject + 很 + Adjective

I am (very) happy.

The weather is (very) nice.

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