是
shì
To be, yes
是它 (shì tā) — whether it's good or bad
X + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)，Y + 也 (yě) + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)
HSK 53.0
Pattern diagram
Adjective是它，Adjective也是它
Rule structure
X是它 (shì tā)，Y也是它 (yě shì tā) contrasts two outcomes and conveys that either must be accepted. For example: “good or bad, there’s no other choice.” The focus is on accepting an unchanged choice rather than evaluating the object itself.
Rule structure
X是它 (shì tā)，Y也是它 (yě shì tā) contrasts two outcomes and conveys that either must be accepted. For example: “good or bad, there’s no other choice.” The focus is on accepting an unchanged choice rather than evaluating the object itself.
Examples
这台旧电脑，好是它，坏也是它，我们只有这一台。
Zhè tái jiù diànnǎo, hǎo shì tā, huài yě shì tā, wǒmen zhǐ yǒu zhè yì tái.
Whether this old computer is good or bad, it's the only one we have.
Examples
这台旧电脑，好是它，坏也是它，我们只有这一台。
Zhè tái jiù diànnǎo, hǎo shì tā, huài yě shì tā, wǒmen zhǐ yǒu zhè yì tái.
Whether this old computer is good or bad, it's the only one we have.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “whether it's good or bad” in Chinese with 是它?
Use the structure: X + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)，Y + 也 (yě) + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā). For example: 这台旧电脑，好是它，坏也是它，我们只有这一台。 — “Whether this old computer is good or bad, it's the only one we have”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这台旧电脑，好是它，坏也是它，我们只有这一台。 — “Whether this old computer is good or bad, it's the only one we have”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules
不得了 — oh no, an extreme situation
不得了 (bùdéliǎo)! (+ Situation)
着 — while doing, something happened
Verb (A) + 着 (zhe) + Verb (A) + 着 (zhe), ...
没 — paired absence with 没A没B
没 (méi) + A + 没 (méi) + B
说 — doing it at once: 说A就A
说 (shuō) + Verb (A) + 就 (jiù) + Verb (A)
用不着 — no need to
Subject + 用不着 (yòngbuzháo) + Verb/Noun
的 — different people doing different things
A + 的 (de) + A，B + 的 (de) + B
不 — might as well, no reason not to
不 (bù) + Verb + 白 (bái) + 不 (bù) + Verb
着 — since we are doing it anyway
X + 着 (zhe) + 也是 (yě shì) + X + 着 (zhe)