是…的
stressing when, where or how something that did happen happened
Structure
主语 是 时间／地点／方式 动词 的
What it means
Stresses one detail of a past event already known to have happened: when, where, how, with whom, or who did it. The event itself is not the news.
How it is built
Subject + 是 + detail (time, place, manner) + verb + 的: 我是坐高铁来的 (I came by high-speed train). With an object, 的 often goes before it: 我是昨天买的票.
When to use it
Use 是…的 to ask or answer about details of a past event: 你是怎么来的？ Use 了 to report that something happened at all: 他来了. In casual speech 是 can drop in the positive: 我昨天来的.
Watch out
Do not add 了: ✗ 我是昨天来了的 ✓ 我是昨天来的. In the negative 是 must stay: ✗ 我不坐飞机来的 ✓ 我不是坐飞机来的.
Examples
吃粽子的习俗就是这样来的。
That is how the custom of eating zongzi came about.
我是坐高铁来的，不是坐飞机来的。
I came by high-speed train, not by plane.
Learn this in Lesson 32 · HSK 5–6: 传统节日 (The traditional festivals)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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