People, identity, and yes–no questions

Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Pinyin shows dictionary tones; natural speech includes the tone changes taught in the lessons.

Identify with 是

Use subject + 是 + noun to identify a person or thing. 我是老师 means “I am a teacher.” 是 keeps the same form with 我, 你, 他, 她, or 我们.

他 (he) and 她 (she) are both pronounced tā. You distinguish them in writing or by context, not by sound. Add 们 to personal pronouns for plural forms such as 我们.

Make a yes–no question

Add 吗 to a statement to ask whether it is true. The word order stays the same: 你是学生 → 你是学生吗？ 吗 is neutral in tone.

A natural answer repeats the relevant verb: 是，我是学生 or 不是，我不是学生. Mandarin does not require one universal word to translate every English “yes” or “no”.

Place 不 and 也 before the verb

不是 means “am/is/are not”. In speech 不 changes to a rising tone before the fourth-tone 是; dictionary-tone pinyin here remains bù shì.

也 means “also” and usually goes before the verb, after the subject. 我也是学生 means “I am also a student.” Do not place 也 at the end by copying English.

Lesson vocabulary

Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Chinese before looking.

Practice questions

Try every question, then check your answers. Capital letters and punctuation do not affect your score. Pinyin tone marks matter. For typed answers, use simplified characters or the taught pinyin (spacing is flexible).

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Independent practice

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