是…的 Construction: Emphasizing Time, Place, Manner
The 是…的 construction highlights when, where or how a past action happened, once both speakers already know it happened. Place the detail between 是 and 的, as in 他是昨天来的.
Pattern: Subject + 是 + [Time/Place/Manner] + Verb(+Obj) + 的
我是昨天来的。(I came yesterday — emphasizes WHEN.)
他是坐飞机来的。(He came by plane — emphasizes HOW.)
我们是在北京认识的。(We met in Beijing — emphasizes WHERE.)
Don't confuse with 了: 我昨天来了 just reports the event happened; 我是昨天来的 emphasizes it was specifically YESTERDAY (as opposed to some other day).
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我是昨天来的。 | Wǒ shì zuótiān lái de. | I came yesterday (emphasis: it was yesterday). | Minimal frame emphasizing TIME. |
| 他是坐飞机来的。 | Tā shì zuò fēijī lái de. | He came by plane (emphasis: by plane). | Emphasizes MANNER/means, same frame, different focus element. |
| 我们是在图书馆认识的，那是去年的事了。 | Wǒmen shì zài túshūguǎn rènshi de, nà shì qùnián de shì le. | We met at the library — that was last year. | Emphasizes PLACE, adds a follow-up clause with the time word 去年. |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
是…的 (shì…de)
Stresses when, where or how a past action took place.
Structure: Subject + 是 + time / place / manner + verb + 的
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你是什么时候到的？ | Nǐ shì shén me shí hou dào de? | When did you arrive? |
| 这件衣服是在网上买的。 | Zhè jiàn yī fu shì zài wǎng shàng mǎi de. | This piece of clothing was bought online. |
| 我是跟朋友一起来的。 | Wǒ shì gēn péng you yì qǐ lái de. | I came with a friend. |
Not: 我是昨天来了的。 是…的 takes no 了.
是…的 is also explained in: Emphasis: 是…的, 难道…吗, 一…也不 (HSK 3) · 是…的: emphasize past circumstances (HSK 4).
不是…的 (bú shì…de)
Denies the time, place or manner you expected.
Structure: Subject + 不是 + detail + verb + 的
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我不是一个人来的。 | Wǒ bú shì yí gè rén lái de. | I did not come alone. |
| 她不是在北京出生的。 | Tā bú shì zài běi jīng chū shēng de. | She was not born in Beijing. |
| 这本书不是我买的。 | Zhè běn shū bú shì wǒ mǎi de. | I did not buy this book. |
Not: 我是不昨天来的。 不 goes before 是: 我不是昨天来的.
不是…的 is also explained in: 是…的: emphasize past circumstances (HSK 4).
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
What this opens up
These patterns list 是…的 Construction among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
The same pattern at other levels
- 是…的 — HSK 4
Questions about 是…的 Construction
What does 是⋯⋯的句 (是…的 Construction) mean in Chinese?
The 是…的 construction highlights when, where or how a past action happened, once both speakers already know it happened. Place the detail between 是 and 的, as in 他是昨天来的. It is an HSK 2 grammar point.
How do you use 是⋯⋯的句 (是…的 Construction) in a sentence?
我是昨天来的。 — Wǒ shì zuótiān lái de. — I came yesterday (emphasis: it was yesterday). Minimal frame emphasizing TIME.
What do you need to know before 是⋯⋯的句 (是…的 Construction)?
The 是-Sentence (HSK 1). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What does 是⋯⋯的句 (是…的 Construction) lead to?
Emphasis (HSK 3). Each of them names 是⋯⋯的句 (是…的 Construction) among its own prerequisites.
Does 是…的 mean the action is in the past?
Yes. It talks about a past action you already know happened and asks or states when, where or how. For example 你是在哪儿学的汉语？ 我是在上海学的。
Can I drop 是 in 是…的?
In speech you often can in a positive sentence, as in 你什么时候来的？ In a negative sentence you must keep 不是.
是…的 Construction is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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