First Sentences · Beginner

How to Say ‘I Am a Student’ in Chinese

Use 是 to say who someone is, make a negative sentence, and ask a yes-or-no question.

Quick answer

Use subject + 是 + identity: 我是学生. Add 不 before 是 for the negative, or 吗 at the end for a question.

我是学生。

wǒ shì xuésheng.

I am a student.

Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.

When to use it

Use 是 when identifying a person or saying what role they have.

Do not use 是 before every adjective. 我很好 does not need 是.

wǒ shì xuésheng. 我是学生。 I’m a student.

wǒ bú shì lǎoshī. 我不是老师。 I’m not a teacher.

nǐ shì xuésheng ma? 你是学生吗？ Are you a student?

Change the identity word to make new sentences. Keep the sentence frame stable while you replace one useful detail.

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