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The verb 是 (to be) Exercises in Chinese language

Students analyzing sentence structures in language texts.

The verb 是 (shì) is one of the most fundamental and essential components of Mandarin Chinese. It functions similarly to the English verb "to be," serving as a copula that links the subject of a sentence with its predicate. Understanding the usage of 是 is crucial for constructing basic sentences, making introductions, stating facts, and expressing identity or characteristics. Mastery of this verb will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Chinese, providing a strong foundation for more complex linguistic structures. In Chinese, 是 is used in a variety of contexts, often appearing in simple sentences such as "我是学生" (wǒ shì xuéshēng) meaning "I am a student." Unlike in English, Chinese does not require the verb 是 in adjectival sentences, which can be a common point of confusion for learners. Through targeted exercises, you will practice the proper use of 是 in affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences, helping you to internalize its rules and nuances. These exercises will not only improve your grammatical accuracy but also boost your confidence in using Mandarin in everyday situations.

Exercise 1

1. 他 ___ 我们的老师 (verb to indicate identity). 2. 这本书 ___ 我的 (verb to indicate possession). 3. 今天 ___ 星期三 (verb to indicate the day of the week). 4. 那个女孩 ___ 我妹妹 (verb to indicate relationship). 5. 这道菜 ___ 非常好吃 (verb to give an opinion). 6. 我们的家 ___ 在北京 (verb to indicate location). 7. 他的工作 ___ 医生 (verb to indicate profession). 8. 这个电影 ___ 很有意思 (verb to give an opinion). 9. 他们 ___ 我们的朋友 (verb to indicate relationship). 10. 我们的班级 ___ 很大 (verb to describe size).

Exercise 2

1. 他 _____ 一个医生 (profession). 2. 这是我的书包，那个 _____ 你的 (possessive pronoun). 3. 今天 _____ 星期五 (day of the week). 4. 我 _____ 学生 (occupation). 5. 她 _____ 我的朋友 (relationship). 6. 北京 _____ 中国的首都 (capital city). 7. 这本书 _____ 很有趣 (adjective meaning interesting). 8. 我家 _____ 在上海 (location). 9. 他 _____ 一个好老师 (adjective meaning good). 10. 这 _____ 什么东西 (question word for "what").

Exercise 3

1. 他 ____ 老师。(to be) 2. 我 ____ 学生。(to be) 3. 这是我的书。那 ____ 你的书。(to be) 4. 我们 ____ 朋友。(to be) 5. 她 ____ 医生。(to be) 6. 你 ____ 中国人吗？(to be) 7. 这 ____ 一只猫。(to be) 8. 今天 ____ 星期一。(to be) 9. 他们 ____ 美国人。(to be) 10. 北京 ____ 中国的首都。(to be)