是Tone 4

shì ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 日

是 · shì

to be;

yes;

correct;

this;

right;

used to indicate affirmation, identity, or emphasis.

to beyescorrect

Usage highlights

YesThis isThat isWho isWhat isCorrect

Synonyms

对— correct; right
正确— correct; accurate
乃— to be (classical Chinese)

Antonyms

非— not; wrong; incorrect
否— no; deny
错— wrong; mistake

Usage & contexts

Examples

This is a book (这是一本书).
Yes, I am a student (是，我是学生).
That is correct (那是正确的).
He is my teacher (他是我的老师).
Today is Monday (今天是星期一).

Collocations

Yes(是)
This is(这是)
That is(那是)
Who is(谁是)
What is(什么是)
Correct(是的)

Idioms

To say yes to everything(唯唯否否)
To insist on one's own views(自以为是)
To turn a deaf ear(充耳不闻)
Right and wrong, true and false(是非曲直)
To seek truth from facts(实事求是)

Cultural background

One of the most fundamental characters in Chinese, essential for basic communication and logical expression.
In classical Chinese, 是 often functioned as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' before evolving into its modern copula usage.
Represents affirmation and correctness in Chinese philosophical and legal contexts.

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