Grammar
是 and Adjectives
是 (shì) is the verb "to be" — but only for linking nouns to other nouns.
- 我 是 学生。 — "I am a student." (noun + 是 + noun)
- 他 是 老师。 — "He is a teacher."
Do not use 是 before adjectives. Adjectives act like verbs and take 很 (hěn, "very") as a placeholder when there is no comparison.
- ✅ 我 很 好。 — "I am good / I am fine."
- ❌ 我 是 好。 — Incorrect.
Negation uses 不 (bù) before the verb: 我 不 是 学生 ("I am not a student"), 我 不 高 ("I am not tall").
Quiz
Pick the best answer for each question. You get feedback right away.
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Which sentence is correct?
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What does 是 mean?
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How do you negate a verb?