这/那 + 是 + Noun/Pronoun
Reach for this when you want to point and identify — 'this is my book,' 'that's the situation,' 'this is the problem.' 这 (this, close) and 那 (that, far) act as demonstratives, paired with 是 to identify what they point to. Used physically ('this thing here') or abstractly ('this is the issue we're discussing') — the most common opening move for both showing things and summing them up.
Structure
这 / 那 是 [NOUN / PRONOUN]
zhè / nà shì...
How to Think About It
这/那 without 是 makes a topic phrase, not a full sentence — 这书 means 'this book' (still waiting for a verb), while 这是书 means 'this is a book' (complete sentence). The 是 is what flips the demonstrative from 'this X' into 'this is X.' Also: when pointing to a specific item with a measure word, 这 takes 个 (or another measure word): 这个人, 那本书.
Examples
这是我的朋友。
Zhè shì wǒ de péngyǒu.
This is my friend.
那是什么?
Nà shì shénme?
What is that?
这就是现在的情况。
Zhè jiùshì xiànzài de qíngkuàng.
This is the current situation.
Common Mistake
Learners drop the measure word when 这/那 is followed directly by a noun, producing 这书. In modern Chinese, when 这/那 modifies a noun (not stands alone), you almost always need a measure word in between.
这书很有意思。
这本书很有意思。
Don't Confuse With
这/那 + 个 + Noun
With a measure word, 这/那 directly modifies a noun ('this book'); without 个, the standalone 这/那 + 是 + noun pattern identifies ('this is a book').
这/那 + 里 / 边
Add 里 or 边 to talk about location ('here / there'): 这里很热. The bare 这/那 + 是 pattern identifies things, not places.
这就是……
Adding 就 emphasizes 'this is EXACTLY...' — used to conclude or pinpoint: 这就是问题. Same structure, stronger feel.
Practice
_____ 是我的老师。 (this)
Show answer
这
那_____ 我的车。 (is)
Show answer
是
Arrange: 是 / 那 / 弟弟 / 我
Show answer
那是我弟弟。
Translate: This is my new phone.
Show answer
这是我的新手机。
Use 这是 or 那是 to introduce something or someone.
Show answer
这是我的中文老师, 她非常有耐心。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 这/那 + 是 + Noun/Pronoun in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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