9.06Usage: +
是
1. Right / Yes (positive) Antonym. 非 (fēi)；否 (fǒu)
是非 (shì fēi) Argument / Dispute Literal. Right and opposite of right
自以为是 (zì yǐ wéi shì) Arrogant / Believe that one is infallible Literal. Self under the impression that (oneself) is right
是否 (shì fǒu) Whether (or not) Literal. Positive or negative
你是否能来? (nǐ shì fǒu néng lái) Can you come? Literal. You whether or not can come?
不管是否下雨 (bù guǎn shì fǒu xìa yǔ) Regardless if it rains Literal. Don't care whether or not rain
2. Is / Am (mostly to indicate identity) Antonym. 不是 (bù shì)
我是 (wǒ shì) Jon, 我不是美国人 (wǒ bù shì měi guó rén) I am Jon, I am not American 我是他的同事 (wǒ shì tā de tóng shì) I am his colleague 他不是我的朋友 (tā bú shì wǒ de péng yǒu) He is not my friend
+ PERSONAL NOTE +
是 (shì) is usually omitted in non-identity related daily conversations. For examples:
- 我不开心 (wǒ bù kāi xīn) I am unhappy Literal. I not happy
- 她很生气 (tā hěn sheng qì) She is mad Literal. She very angry
- 我们现在出去 (wǒ mèn xiàn zài chū qù) We are going out now Literal. We now go out