是……的
whose something is, or what kind it is
Structure
名词 + 是 + 代词／形容词 + 的
What it means
是 + word + 的 says whose something is or what kind it is: “mine”, “Wang Ming's”, “a new one”. The noun after 的 is left out.
How it is built
Noun + 是 + pronoun, name or adjective + 的: 这本书是我的 (This book is mine). 那个包是谁的？——是王明的。 我的手机是新的 (My phone is a new one).
When to use it
With an adjective, 是……的 sorts things into kinds: 我的包是大的 (mine is a big one, not a small one). To simply describe, use 很: 我的包很大.
Watch out
Don't drop 的: ✗ 这本书是我 (“this book is me”) ✓ 这本书是我的.
Examples
这本书是我的。
This book is mine.
那个包是谁的？——是王明的。
Whose bag is that? — It’s Wang Ming’s.
我的手机是新的。
My phone is a new one.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 6: 我的手机在哪儿 (Where is it?)
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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