是

昰

shì

日 + 𤴓

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

shì (verb) to be; is; are; am

shì (particle) yes; correct; right

Etymology

Origin unclear. The bottom component 止 represents the sound.

About

是 is of unclear origin. It combines 日 (sun) on top with 止 (foot) below, the lower component likely indicating the sound. Originally an adjective meaning "correct" or "right", it affirmed the truth of a statement. This sense gradually developed into a copular verb equivalent to English "to be", linking a subject to a predicate. It also functions as an affirmative response "yes", a direct outgrowth of its earlier meaning of correctness.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的书。

Zhè shì wǒ de shū.

This is my book.

他是我的爸爸。

Tā shì wǒ de bàba.

He is my father.

北京是中国的首都。

Běijīng shì Zhōngguó de shǒudū.

Beijing is the capital of China.

学习是很重要的。

Xuéxí shì hěn zhòngyào de.

Studying is very important.

她是我最好的朋友。

Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyou.

She is my best friend.

这本书是很有趣的。

Zhè běn shū shì hěn yǒuqù de.

This book is very interesting.

我们的目标是赢得比赛。

Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì yíngdé bǐsài.

Our goal is to win the competition.

他之所以成功是因为努力。

Tā zhī suǒ yǐ chénggōng shì yīnwèi nǔlì.

The reason he succeeded is because of hard work.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 日

Component: 𤴓

Example Words