是(shì)

HSK 19 strokes

to be (followed by substantives only)

Print a 是 worksheet PDFPractice writing 是

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
shì
Meaning
to be (followed by substantives only); correct; right; true; (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well; (adverb for emphatic assertion)
Strokes
9
HSK level
HSK 1
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where 是 comes from and how its parts fit together.

Ideograph⿱日疋

To speak 日 directly 疋

A combination of parts whose meanings add up to the whole.

Made of

日rì疋pǐ

Parts are arranged top to bottom.

How to write 是 step by step

9 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Words with 是

Common words using 是 — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

dàn但shì是
HSK 2

but; however

Open 但是 page →
kě可shì是
HSK 2

but; however

Open 可是 page →
zhǐ只shì是
HSK 3

merely; only; just; nothing but

Open 只是 page →
dǎo倒shì是
HSK 5

contrary to what one might expect

Open 倒是 page →
biàn便shì是
HSK 6

(emphasizes that sth is precisely or exactly as stated)

Open 便是 page →
fán凡shì是
HSK 6

each and every; every; all; any

Open 凡是 page →
yě也jiù就shì是shuō说
HSK 7-9

in other words

Open 也就是说 page →
sì似shì是ér而fēi非
HSK 7-9

apparently right but actually wrong; specious (idiom)

Open 似是而非 page →

Related characters

More HSK 1 characters

一七三上下不东两

From 是’s common words

但可只倒便凡也就

Ready to master 是?

Trace 是 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.

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