Subject + 是 + Noun
This is the most basic sentence in Chinese — 'A is B.' Use 是 (shì) to identify or define one noun as another: a name, a profession, a nationality, a category. The subject sits first, 是 links it, and the noun follows. That's the whole pattern. Works for facts, introductions, descriptions of identity. Crucial point: 是 connects nouns to nouns. It does NOT come before adjectives — use 很 for those.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 是 [NOUN]
[SUBJECT] shì [NOUN]
How to Think About It
是 is for identity, not description. 'He is a teacher' = 他是老师 (noun) → 是. 'He is tall' = 他很高 (adjective) → 很. The rule is simple: if the second slot is a thing (老师, 中国人, 苹果), use 是. If it's a quality (高, 累, 漂亮), use 很. Mixing the two is the most common beginner error, and unlearning it takes most learners several months.
Examples
他是老师。
Tā shì lǎoshī.
He is a teacher.
苹果是水果。
Píngguǒ shì shuǐguǒ.
Apples are fruit.
中文是一门语言。
Zhōngwén shì yī mén yǔyán.
Chinese is a language.
我是学生。
Wǒ shì xuésheng.
I am a student.
他是我哥哥。
Tā shì wǒ gēge.
He is my older brother.
这是一本书。
Zhè shì yì běn shū.
This is a book.
北京是中国的首都。
Běijīng shì Zhōngguó de shǒudū.
Beijing is the capital of China.
这是我朋友。
Zhè shì wǒ péngyǒu.
This is my friend.
他是我的老师。
Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.
He is my teacher.
这是一个问题。
Zhè shì yí ge wèntí.
This is a problem.
Common Mistake
Learners use 是 with adjectives, copying English 'is + adjective.' Chinese treats adjectives as their own verbs — they don't need 是. Use 很 (or another adverb) instead.
她是漂亮。
她很漂亮。
Don't Confuse With
Subject + 是 + ... 的
Adds 的 to spotlight a feature like color, origin, or material (苹果是红的). Plain A 是 B equates two nouns or categories.
Subject + Adjective (no 是)
For everyday descriptions, drop 是 (他很高, 天气不错). Use 是 only when the predicate is a noun.
Subject + 叫 + Name
For names of people or things, Chinese prefers 叫 (我叫小明). 是 also works for names but feels more formal — 'I am called X' vs 'My name is X.'
很 + Adjective
Use 很 (not 是) when the second slot is an adjective. 是 = noun; 很 = adjective. This is the line.
Subject + 在 + Place
Use 在 for location, not 是. '他在家' (he's at home), not '他是在家.'
Practice
Fill in the blank: 我 ___ 学生。
Show answer
是
Fill in the category: 狗是 ___（animal）。
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动物
Arrange into a sentence: 中国人 / 是 / 我
Show answer
我是中国人。
Translate to Chinese: She is a doctor.
Show answer
她是医生。
Write one definition sentence using A 是 B.
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数学是一门很重要的学科。
我 ___ 美国人。
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是
他 是 ___。 (doctor)
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医生
Arrange: 老师 / 我的 / 中国人 / 是
Show answer
我的老师是中国人。
She is my friend.
Show answer
她是我的朋友。
Write one sentence introducing yourself using 是.
Show answer
我是一名工程师，也是一个爸爸。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 7 Fluentide episodes. Press play to hear the sentence:
他是一个外国人。
He is a foreigner.
Sebastian Sabbe Runs Official 1:59:30 MarathonBeginner
首相是英国的领导人。
The Prime Minister is the leader of the UK.
Starmer Meets Xi on UK–China VisitBeginner
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear Subject + 是 + Noun in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start.