Using 是 for Emphasis
用"是"强调
Use 是 before adjectives and verbs to add emphasis, meaning "indeed / really"
Insert 是 before an adjective or verb phrase to add emphatic confirmation, meaning "indeed" or "really is." This 是 is stressed in speech and confirms or agrees with a previously stated opinion.
This emphatic 是 is different from the copula 是 (A is B). Here 是 functions as an adverb meaning "indeed." It is often used when agreeing with someone or conceding a point.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Using 是 for Emphasis (用"是"强调)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 用"是"强调 pattern
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Understanding 用"是"强调
You already know 是 as the verb "to be" (我是学生). But 是 has another important function: it can be placed before adjectives and verbs to add emphasis, meaning "indeed" or "really is." This usage typically appears when you are confirming or agreeing with someone's observation. For example, if someone says 这位经理很负责 (This manager is very responsible), you might respond 你说得对，这位经理是很负责 — the 是 here means "indeed / truly is." It carries a sense of acknowledgment and conviction. In spoken Chinese, this 是 receives stress — it is pronounced slightly louder and longer than usual. This pattern is also commonly used to make concessions before introducing a "but": 那个地方是很远，但是值得去 (That place IS far, but it's worth going). Mastering this subtle 是 will make your Chinese sound sophisticated and nuanced.
Key Points
- Emphatic 是 = "indeed / really / truly" — confirms a quality or fact.
- Placed before adjectives: 是很好 (is indeed good), 是挺有意思 (is quite interesting indeed).
- Often used when agreeing: 你说得对，他是很聪明。(You're right, he is indeed smart.)
- Often used for concessions: 是很贵，但是质量好。(It IS expensive, but the quality is good.)
- In speech, stress the 是 to convey emphasis.
- Different from copula 是 — here it modifies adjectives/verbs, not nouns.
Using emphatic 是 to first agree before disagreeing (是...但是...) is a very Chinese communication style. It shows respect for the other person's viewpoint before presenting your own — a reflection of the cultural value of harmony (和谐).
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你说得对，这位经理是很负责。
You're right, this manager is indeed very responsible.
我同意，那个电影是挺有意思。
I agree, that movie is quite interesting indeed.
北京是很大，但是交通很方便。
Beijing IS very big, but the transportation is convenient.
Concession pattern: 是...但是...
这个菜是好吃，就是太辣了。
This dish IS delicious, it's just too spicy.
他是很忙，不过还是来了。
He IS very busy, but he still came.
中文是有点儿难，但是很有用。
Chinese IS a bit hard, but it's very useful.
她是很漂亮。
She is indeed very beautiful.
Common Mistakes
Emphatic 是 is followed by an adverb + adjective (是很好吃), not by adjective + 的. The 是...的 pattern has a different function.
Emphatic 是 typically needs a degree adverb like 很, 挺, or 真 before the adjective. Without it, the sentence sounds like the copula 是 pattern.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Stress 是 in speech — pronounce it slightly louder to convey the emphasis.
The 是...但是... concession pattern is incredibly useful in debates and discussions.
This 是 always needs a degree adverb after it: 是很..., 是挺..., 是真...
Practice agreeing with friends: 你说得对，他是很...
Homework
Write six sentences using emphatic 是: three that express agreement (你说得对，...是很...) and three that make concessions (...是...，但是...). Topics: food, places, people, and learning Chinese.