Noun + 是 + Adjective + 的
Reach for this when you want to point at a property of something as a stated fact — 'this thing IS [adjective].' Compared to the plain 这个苹果很甜 ('this apple is very sweet'), 这个苹果是甜的 sounds more like a verdict: you've checked, and you're reporting the result. Common when answering questions about characteristics, confirming a feature, or contrasting one thing with another. Beginner-friendly and used constantly in HSK 1-2 contexts.
Structure
[NOUN] 是 [ADJECTIVE] 的
... shì ... de
How to Think About It
The 是……的 wrapper turns a quality into a label being assigned. Where 很 + adjective describes the noun in motion, 是……的 plants a flag: 'this is what kind it is.' That's why it shows up in Q&A ('Is the soup hot?' '是的，汤是热的'): the question wants a category answer, not a degree.
Examples
这杯茶是热的。
Zhè bēi chá shì rè de.
This cup of tea is hot.
她的头发是黑的。
Tā de tóufa shì hēi de.
Her hair is black.
这本书是新的，那本是旧的。
Zhè běn shū shì xīn de, nà běn shì jiù de.
This book is new; that one is old.
Common Mistake
Learners drop the final 的 because English doesn't need it ('the apple is sweet'). Without 的, Chinese ears hear an unfinished sentence. The 的 closes the noun-defining frame.
这个苹果是甜。
这个苹果是甜的。
Don't Confuse With
Noun + 很 + Adjective
Plain descriptive sentence ('the apple is sweet'). Use 很 + adj for everyday description; use 是……的 to confirm/state the quality as a fact.
是……的 (emphasis on time/place/manner)
Same words, different job. When the slot between 是 and 的 holds a TIME, PLACE, or MANNER (我是昨天来的), it's emphasis structure, not adjective-as-label.
Adjective + 的 + Noun
Modifier inside a noun phrase ('the sweet apple' = 甜的苹果). The adjective+的 attaches to a noun. 是……的 stands as a full sentence with the noun as subject.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 这个苹果 ____ 红的。
Show answer
是
Fill in the blank: 这条裙子是新 ____ 。
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的
Arrange into a sentence: 是 / 的 / 这 / 杯 / 咖啡 / 甜
Show answer
这杯咖啡是甜的。
Translate to Chinese: My car is white.
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我的车是白的。
Use Noun + 是 + Adjective + 的 to describe two things in your room.
Show answer
我的桌子是木头的，椅子是黑的。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: