HSK 3
是……的 (emphasis)
shì…… de
it is… that…
Structure
Subject + 是 + [Emphasized Info] + Verb + 的
How it works
The '是……的' structure is used to emphasize a specific detail of a past event, such as the time, place, manner, or person involved. It assumes the listener already knows the action happened and focuses on the 'how, when, or where'.
Examples
我是去年来中国的。
Wǒ shì qùnián lái Zhōngguó de.
I came to China last year.
我们是坐飞机去的。
Wǒmen shì zuò fēijī qù de.
We went by plane.
这个电话是他打出来的。
Zhège diànhuà shì tā dǎ chūlái de.
This call was made by him.
Common mistakes
Students often use this structure for future events, but it is primarily used for events that have already occurred.
Tip
In positive sentences, '是' can often be omitted (e.g., 我去年来的), but in negative sentences, '不' must precede '是' and '是' cannot be skipped.
More HSK 3 grammar
See 是……的 (emphasis) in real Chinese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
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