是 shì
“to be (followed by substantives only); correct; right; true; (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well”
verbHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
是 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 188: 是 shì — Level 1; official annotation 1 (动). PDF page 84
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 是
是 means "to be" and links a subject to a noun or noun phrase that identifies or classifies it. It is not used to link a subject to an adjective; adjectives take adverbs like 很 instead. The typical pattern is A 是 B, often with 的 or a noun after it.
例句Example sentences
- 我是学生。wǒ shì xué sheng.I am a student.
- 他是我的老师。tā shì wǒ de lǎo shī.He is my teacher.
- 这是我的书。zhè shì wǒ de shū.This is my book.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我很是高兴。
✓我很高兴。
是 does not link a subject to an adjective; use an adverb like 很 directly before the adjective.
-
✗我是很好。
✓我很好。
是 cannot be followed by an adjective phrase; adjectives do not need 是 in Chinese.
深度指南Grammar & comparison guides
义项All meanings
- shì: to be (followed by substantives only); correct; right; true; (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well; (adverb for emphatic assertion)
- shì: variant of 是