Error Hunt: 是 and 不是
Spot and fix the mistakes learners make most with 是, 不 and nationalities.
Four classic mistakes
1. Leaving out 是 between two nouns: "我学生" should be 我是学生 (I am a student).
2. Putting 不 after 是: "我是不老师" should be 我不是老师. 不 goes right before the word it negates.
3. Using 是 for English "is" before a describing word: "我是好" is wrong. 是 links two nouns (我是学生); you'll see how to describe things without 是 in a few lessons.
4. Forgetting 人 for nationality: 美国 is the country (America); 美国人 is the person.
Quick check
1. Which is correct?
Try it yourself
Write a sentence or two using what this lesson covered. Not graded -- just for you, saved so you can come back to it.
Pick with a tap, a number key or Space. A Chinese keyboard on your device works in the box below too.
Final review
0/11 answered across this lesson
1. Which sentences are correct? (Choose all that apply.)
Select all that apply.
2. What's wrong with 我是美国。?
3. What's wrong with 她学生。?
4. Complete (characters or pinyin).
5. Complete (characters or pinyin).
6. Complete (characters or pinyin).
7. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
8. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
9. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
10. Put the words in order.
Hint: “He is not a doctor.”