是…的shì... de

Emphasis structure 是…的 (shì... de)

Meaning: It was [time/place/manner] that... (emphasizing details of a past event)

Pattern

是…的 (shì... de) is one of the most distinctive emphasis structures in Chinese.
It is used ONLY when the action has already taken place and both speaker and listener know about it; the focus is on a specific circumstance (time, place, manner/transport, agent).
Place 是 immediately BEFORE the element being emphasized, and place 的 at the end: - Emphasizing time: 我是昨天来的 (It was yesterday that I came).
- Emphasizing origin/place: 他是从北京来的 (It was from Beijing that he came).
- Emphasizing manner: 我是坐飞机来的 (It was by plane that I came)

•Do not use 了 inside a 是…的 construction; negate with 不是.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Using 了 instead of 的 with 是: WRONG 我是昨天来了 → RIGHT 我是昨天来的.

•Confusing 是…的 (emphasizing past circumstances) with a simple 是 copula sentence.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 3 to master all skills together.