What does 是 mean in Chinese?

是 (shì) means "is; are; am; yes; to be" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 是?

是 is pronounced "shì" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 是?

是 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 是?

Common words with 是 include 不是 (fault), 乃是 (equivalent to either 是[shi4] or 就是[jiu4 shi4]), 不是吗 (isn't that so?), 不是话 (see 不像話|不像话[bu4 xiang4 hua4]), 也就是 (that is).

How do you write 是?

是 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 日. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

HSK 1beginnerverb

是

shì

is; are; am; yes

Character

是 = 日 + 正

Under the sun, things are set straight, this is truth

All meanings

is
are
am
yes
to be

In context

Example sentences

他是我的老师。
Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.
He is my teacher.

Words with 是

Grammar notes

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK examHSK 1

HSK 2.0HSK 1

HSK Lord study listHSK 1 list

是: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.