Pronouns and 是 — Learn

Goals

Use 我/你/他/她/我们 etc. as subjects
Build identity sentences with 是
Negate with 不是 and ask with 是……吗？
Avoid using 是 before most adjectives
Introduce yourself in one clear sentence

Core pronouns

我、你、他、她、它 are basic. Add 们 for plurals: 我们、你们、他们.

您 is the polite you.

Pronouns do not change form for object vs subject in beginner use.

我 wǒ

I / me

我们 wǒmen

您 nín

you (polite)

是 for identity

Subject + 是 + noun phrase identifies or classifies.

我是学生。这是中文书。

Do not say 我是高兴 for “I am happy”—use adjective patterns with 很.

我是学生。 Wǒ shì xuéshēng.

I am a student.

他是老师。 Tā shì lǎoshī.

He is a teacher.

这是手机。 Zhè shì shǒujī.

This is a phone.

Negation and questions

不是 negates. Remember sandhi: bú shì.

是……吗？ makes a yes/no question without changing word order.

也 means also: 我也是学生。

我不是老师。 Wǒ bú shì lǎoshī.

I am not a teacher.

你是美国人吗？ Nǐ shì Měiguó rén ma?

Are you American?

我也是学生。 Wǒ yě shì xuéshēng.

I am also a student.

Names and nationalities

我叫… means “I am called…”. 我是…人 states nationality/identity.

Keep sentences short and reusable.

Practice with your real name and country.

我叫王明。 Wǒ jiào Wáng Míng.

My name is Wang Ming.

我是美国人。 Wǒ shì Měiguó rén.

I am American.

她是中国人。 Tā shì Zhōngguó rén.

She is Chinese.

Common mistakes

Do not drop 是 in identity sentences if you are still a beginner copying English “I student.”

Do not use 是 + adjective as your default “to be.”

Keep 的 for possession patterns later: 我的书.

我是朋友。 Wǒ shì péngyou.

I am a friend (identity).

这是我的书。 Zhè shì wǒ de shū.

This is my book.

他很忙。 Tā hěn máng.

He is busy (no 是).

Takeaways

是 links to nouns/identities, not most adjectives.
不是 and 是……吗？ are core tools.
们 pluralizes pronouns.
Practice a personal self-intro every day for a week.

Quick check

1. Choose the natural sentence for “I am a student.”

2. “He is busy” is best as…

3. 不是 is pronounced…

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