是
to be (followed by substantives only); correct; right; true; (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well; (adverb for emphatic assertion)
Closest English meanings
is·yes·correct
The Calligrapher — Mǐ Fú 米芾
Song eccentric genius of dynamic, 'flying' running script.
Song calligrapher (1051–1107), master of running script — Song eccentric genius ('crazy Zhang, idiot Mi') whose running script alternates discipline with glee. Song dynasty
Cultural Story
是 is the word that fixes. 是非 is right and wrong, the scale of the censor; 事实 the matter as it stands. 但是 the 'but' that turns the sentence; 就是 the 'exactly.' The word is the copula that makes a claim a thing — the sun 是 round, the man 是 guilty. The Shuowen sees the sun straight, the true set down.
Common words & phrases
- 但是 but · however
- 就是 exactly · namely
- 可是 but · yet
- 是否 whether
- 总是 always
- 事实 fact
Read the story behind the character
但是 is the 'however' of every memo; 就是 the emphasis. 可是 the shrug; 是否 the poll. 总是 the nag; 事实 the check. The word props the whole language — the yes, the correction, the link. From the debate to the form, 是 is the small hinge everything turns on, the assertion that something is so, and not otherwise.
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