How to Write 是 (shì) — Meaning “To be”

Imagine the sun (日) shining directly above a correct mark (正) – it is what it is. This visual of 'sun + correct' helps you recall that 是 means 'to be.' You can also think: 'Is the sun correct? Yes, it is.'

Write the top part 日 first (4 strokes), then the bottom part 正 (5 strokes) – the last stroke is a long horizontal line. A common mistake is making the bottom 正 too wide or mixing up its strokes; keep the 日 narrow and the 正 balanced below.

是 has 9 strokes and contains 正 (correct) in the bottom, while 旰 and 旱 each have 7 strokes and use 干 (dry) instead. 旰 (gàn) means 'late in the day,' and 旱 (hàn) means 'drought' – both related to the sun but not 'to be.' Visually, 是 looks fuller with more horizontal lines.

是 is the verb 'to be' used to link nouns, as in 他是老师 (He is a teacher). It also forms yes/no questions with 是不是 (Is it or not?), and 是的 means 'Yes.' Culturally, using 是 to affirm is polite and direct, but it’s not used with adjectives – instead, say 很 (very) for descriptions.

Common words containing 是 include: 是的 (shì de) — Yes; 他是 (tā shì) — He is; 是不是 (shì bú shì) — Is it or not?.