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Using 是 (shì) as a copula verb
Existence & Possession
Structure
Subject + 是 + Noun Phrase
Explanation
是 (shì) is the primary copula verb in Chinese, equivalent to "is" or "to be" in English. It links a subject to a noun or noun phrase to express identity, classification, or description. Unlike English, 是 is not used with adjectives directly — it connects nouns and noun phrases only.
Examples
她是我的大学同学。
tā shì wǒ de dàxué tóngxué.
She is my college classmate.
这是今天最重要的新闻。
zhè shì jīntiān zuì zhòngyào de xīnwén.
This is today's most important news.
他是一位很有经验的医生。
tā shì yī wèi hěn yǒu jīngyàn de yīshēng.
He is a very experienced doctor.