B1 · Grammar reference · ASG0UFR4
The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose
There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what an object is used for. One of the more natural ways just happens to involve 是⋯⋯的. This is a different usage from the "classic" 是⋯⋯的 pattern.
- Keywords
- 是 · 的
- Used for
- Emphasizing · Expressing purpose
- Classification
- HSK2
Examples (10)
我是来玩的。
我们都是去出差的。
他们都是来实习的。
你真的是来帮我们的吗？
我们不是去玩的，是去做调查的。
这种菜是用来做汤的。
这个房间是给客人住的。
这些钱是给孩子上大学的。
这些礼物是给客户准备的。
钱是用来花的，不是用来省的。
Also illustratesThe "shi... de" patterns: an overview
Further resources
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Summary, structure, classification, and adapted sentence examples draw from the AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; changes were made. This noncommercial reference is based on an October 2023 snapshot.
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