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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing emphasis or confirmation with 是…的 (shì…de)

    Aspect & Tense
    Emphasis

    Structure

    是 + Detail + Verb + 的

    Explanation

    The 是…的 (shì…de) construction is used to emphasize or confirm specific details about an action that has already occurred, such as the time, place, manner, or agent. The 是 can sometimes be omitted, but 的 at the end is essential. For example, 他是昨天来的 emphasizes that he came yesterday.

    Examples

    • 这本书是在北京买的。

      zhè běn shū shì zài Běijīng mǎi de.

      This book was bought in Beijing.

    • 我们是坐高铁去上海的。

      wǒmen shì zuò gāotiě qù Shànghǎi de.

      We took the high-speed rail to Shanghai.

    • 她是去年毕业的，现在已经工作一年了。

      tā shì qùnián bìyè de, xiànzài yǐjīng gōngzuò yī nián le.

      She graduated last year and has already been working for a year now.

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    Expressing emphasis or confirmation with 是…的 (shì…de) | Chinese Grammar