是 · shì · to be (followed by substantives only)
Learn the Chinese character 是 with its source-linked HSK 1 status, pronunciation, one concise learning meaning, stroke order, real HSK words, and published learning contexts.
Writing guide
How to use the writing tool
- 1. WatchSee the stroke order for 是.
- 2. TraceFollow the guided strokes to build the movement.
- 3. WriteWrite from memory and receive feedback.
HSK vocabulary
Words with 是
Source-linked HSK vocabulary records that contain 是.
Linked HSK vocabulary
- 是shìto be (followed by substantives only)
- 但是dànshìbut
- 还是háishistill (as before)
- 可是kěshìbut
- 只是zhǐshìmerely
- 总是zǒngshìalways
- 就是jiùshìexactly
- 老是lǎoshìalways
- 是否shìfǒuwhether (or not)
- 要是yàoshi(coll.) if
- 于是yúshìthereupon
- 或是huòshìor
- 要不是yàobúshìif it were not for
- 倒是dàoshìcontrary to what one might expect
- 凡是fánshìeach and every
- 算是suànshìconsidered to be
- 比比皆是bǐbǐ-jiēshìcan be found everywhere
- 可不是kěbúshi(coll.) exactly!
- 若是ruòshìif
- 实事求是shíshì-qiúshìlit. to seek truth from facts (idiom)
- 是非shìfēiright and wrong
- 似是而非sìshì-érfēiapparently right but actually wrong
- 头头是道tóutóu-shìdàoclear and logical
- 真是zhēnshiindeed
- 自以为是zìyǐwéishìto believe oneself infallible (idiom)
Real usage
Example sentences with 是
Published HSK 1 course contexts only. Each sentence links back to the lesson that owns it.
No accepted HSK 1 course context containing 是 is indexed yet. This page does not generate example sentences.
Character questions
About 是
Short answers based on the sources identified on this page.
What does 是 mean in Chinese?
是 is listed here with the concise learning meaning: to be (followed by substantives only).
How do you pronounce 是?
是 is shown as shì.
Is 是 an HSK 1 character?
Yes. 是 is HSK 1 recognition character #162.
Can I practise writing 是?
Yes. Use Watch, Trace, or Write above.
Learning details
- HSK 1 recognition
- HSK 1–2 writing inventory
- 25 linked HSK words
- Audio available
Content transparency
Sources and editorial policy
- HSK placement: HSK 1 recognition character #162.
- Writing scope: HSK 1–2 writing inventory.
- Meaning and pronunciation: CC-CEDICT and linked HSK vocabulary data, shown as supplemental learning metadata.
- Vocabulary: source-linked HSK vocabulary records, each linked to its published HSK vocabulary page.
- Example sentences: published course contexts only; this page does not generate new example sentences.
- Stroke-order practice: HanziWriter character data. This is a source-linked learning reference, not an official HSK publication.