是 Stroke Order — How to Write 是
是 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 日, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
是 Radical and Character Components
是 is an ideographic compound. To speak 日 directly 疋.
Radical: 日 + 5 more strokes
是 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- shì
Meanings of 是 in Chinese
1
shì是
Used to indicate explanation or classification, equivalent to 'to be' in English. For example, 'He is a worker' or 'The author of 'The True Story of Ah Q' is Lu Xun.'
他是一名优秀的老师。
He is an excellent teacher.
To indicate a state of being full of or covered with something, implying abundance or pervasive presence.
地上是落叶。
The ground is covered with fallen leaves.
Used to concede a point or acknowledge something as true, usually followed by a contrasting or qualifying statement (similar to 'while it is true that...' or 'although...').
这件衣服是好看，就是有点贵。
This outfit is nice, it's just a bit expensive.
To indicate suitability or timeliness; to be the right or appropriate moment/condition.
我们到的是时候，正好赶上好天气
We arrived at just the right time, catching the good weather.
To indicate 'any' or 'every', often implying inclusiveness or universality.
是好事他都喜欢做。
He likes to do any good deed.
Used in questions to confirm a fact or state, often implying "Is it that...?" or "Are you...?"
你是不是觉得有点累？
Are you feeling a bit tired?
Used to add emphasis to a statement, conveying meanings like 'indeed', 'really', or 'certainly'.
这个菜是好吃！
This dish is indeed delicious!
Right, reasonable, correct; opposite of 'wrong'.
他说的完全是事实。
What he said is completely true.
To consider as correct or right; to approve of; truth or what is right (often in idioms).
工作中，我们应该实事求是，不要浮夸。
In our work, we should seek truth from facts and avoid exaggeration.
Yes, indicating agreement or affirmation (when '是' is said alone).
是，没问题
Yes, no problem.
This, such; indicating proximity or reference to something mentioned.
是间店铺，口碑极好
This shop has an excellent reputation.
An auxiliary word used to place the object of an action before the verb, emphasizing that only this specific object is involved, often implying 'only... is sought/done'.
我们公司在招聘时，始终坚持惟才是举
Our company always upholds the principle of appointing people based solely on their ability during recruitment.
Common Words and Phrases with 是
1
Right and wrong; also refers to disputes or gossip.
小孩子应该学会辨别是非。
Children should learn to distinguish right from wrong.
2
unable to distinguish right from wrong
他从小被父母娇惯，导致长大后常常是非不分，不知道什么事情该做，什么事情不该做。
He was pampered by his parents since childhood, which led to him often being unable to distinguish right from wrong as an adult, not knowing what he should and shouldn't do.
3
right and wrong; merits and demerits
在处理家庭矛盾时，父母应该耐心听取双方意见，分清是非曲直。
When dealing with family conflicts, parents should patiently listen to both sides' opinions to distinguish between the rights and wrongs of the matter.
4
A place where one is apt to get into trouble.
那个酒吧总是是非之地，经常有人在那里吵架
That bar is always a place of trouble; people often argue there.
5
To affirm the past and deny the present; to praise ancient ways and criticize current ones.
他对待技术进步总是是古非今，认为传统工艺的魅力远胜于任何高科技产品。
He always affirms the past and negates the present regarding technological advancements, believing that the charm of traditional craftsmanship far surpasses any high-tech product.
6
therefore; consequently
天气预报说今天会下雨，是故我带了伞。
The weather forecast predicted rain today, therefore I brought an umbrella.
7
Tasty or delicious (for food), or comfortable and pleasant (for feelings).
这碗家常菜虽然简单，但做得真是是味儿，让我吃得很满足。
Although this home-cooked dish is simple, it's truly delicious and flavorful, making me very satisfied.
8
Therefore; consequently
他勤奋学习，是以成绩一直名列前茅。
He studied diligently, therefore his grades were always among the best.
9
Used as a function word to indicate a specific time or period.
他是在下午完成这份报告的。
He completed this report in the afternoon.
More words with 是
- hái还shi是still; nevertheless; or; had better
- réng仍shì是Still; remain.
- zhǐ只shì是Merely; simply; only; but; however.
- fán凡shì是every; any; all
- nǎi乃shì是is; indeed is
- gāi该shì是must be
- yú于shì是Therefore; as a result; whereupon.
- dàn但shì是But
- dān担bú不shì是Take the blame, Admit fault
- jì既shì是since; now that
- kě可bú不shì是Exactly! That's right!
- mò莫bú不shì是Could it be that, Is it possible that
- pà怕shì是I'm afraid so, probably
- pài派bú不shì是To assign blame, To shift blame
- péi赔bú不shì是to apologize, make an apology
- suàn算shì是Sort of, Pretty much
- yào要bú不shì是but for; if it were not for
- yǒu有de的shì是There is no lack of; have plenty of
- ruò若shì是If so
- luò落bú不shì是Incur blame, Be blamed
Idioms with 是
- shì是fēi非dé得shī失rights and wrongs, gains and losses
- shì是fēi非diān颠dǎo倒distort facts and reverse right and wrong
- shì是fēi非fēn分míng明distinguish right from wrong
- shì是fēi非hùn混xiáo淆confuse right and wrong
- shì是fēi非kǒu口shé舌verbal disputes and gossip
- shì是fēi非qīng轻zhòng重right and wrong, importance and urgency
- shì是shì是fēi非fēi非distinguishing right from wrong
- bǎi百wú无shì是chù处wrong in every respect
- bǎi百wú无yī一shì是nothing right in a hundred attempts
- bān搬nòng弄shì是fēi非sow discord with rumors
- bǐ比bǐ比jiē皆shì是can be found everywhere
- chù触mù目jiē皆shì是visible everywhere
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Open the tool →Questions about 是
What does 是 mean in Chinese?
是 (shì) means “To indicate 'any' or 'every'” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 是?
是 is pronounced shì in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 是 have?
是 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 是?
是 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 日. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 是?
The radical of 是 is 日, and 是 is an ideographic compound.