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[![](The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/CGW-iBooks-150_150.jpg "fig:The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/CGW-iBooks-150_150.jpg")](http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1286538933)

[![](The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/cog.png "fig:The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/cog.png")](# "wikilink") The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose ===================================================

[![](The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/link.png "fig:The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/link.png")](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/ASG0UFR4)

Level

[B1](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/B1_grammar_points)

Similar to

- \[...\_de%22\_construction\_for\_emphasizing\_details The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details\] (B1) - \[...\_de%22\_patterns:\_an\_overview The "shi... de" patterns: an overview\] (B1)

Used for

[Emphasizing](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Emphasizing), [Expressing purpose](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_purpose)

Keywords

[是](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E6%98%AF), [的](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E7%9A%84)

[![Chinese-grammar-wiki-shi.jpg](The%20%22shi...%20de%22%20construction%20for%20indicating%20purpose%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/300px-Chinese-grammar-wiki-shi.jpg "fig:Chinese-grammar-wiki-shi.jpg"){width="300" height="300"}](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/File:Chinese-grammar-wiki-shi.jpg)

There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what an object is used for. One of the more natural ways just happens to involve 是⋯⋯的. This is a different usage from the \[...\_de%22\_construction\_for\_emphasizing\_details "classic" 是⋯⋯的 pattern\].

Contents -------- [hide]([# "wikilink")\]

- [1 A Person as Subject](#A_Person_as_Subject "wikilink") - [1.1 Structure](#Structure "wikilink") - [1.2 Examples](#Examples "wikilink") - [2 A Thing as Subject](#A_Thing_as_Subject "wikilink") - [2.1 Structure](#Structure_2 "wikilink") - [2.2 Examples](#Examples_2 "wikilink") - [3 See also](#See_also "wikilink") - [4 Sources and further reading](#Sources_and_further_reading "wikilink") - [4.1 Books](#Books "wikilink")

A Person as Subject ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Structure If the subject is a person, there is often a 来 or 去 after the 是, indicating direction like "coming here" or "going there."

Person + 是 + 来 / 去 + Verb+ 的

### Examples

- 我 *是* **来** 旅游 *的* 。Wǒ *shì* **lái** lǚyóu *de*.I came to travel. - 我们都 *是* **去** 出差 *的* 。Wǒmen dōu *shì* **qù** chūchāi *de*.We are all going on business trips. - 他们都 *是* **来** 实习 *的* 。Tāmen dōu *shì* **lái** shíxí *de*.They all came here to do an internship. - 你真的 *是* **来** 帮我们*的* 吗？ Nǐ zhēnde *shì* **lái** bāng wǒmen *de* ma?Are you really here to help us? - 我们不 *是* **去** 玩 *的* ，*是* **去** 做调查 *的* 。Wǒmen bù *shì* **qù** wán *de*, *shì* **qù** zuò diàochá *de*.We're not going there to hang out with people. Instead, we're there to do research.

A Thing as Subject --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Structure If the subject is a thing, 用来 is often used. Look at the examples below for some more clarification.

Thing + 是 + 用来 + Verb + 的

Thing + 是 + 给 + Person + Verb + 的

### Examples

- 这种菜 *是* **用来** 做汤 *的* 。Zhè zhǒng cài *shì* **yònglái** zuò tāng *de*.This kind of vegetable is for making soup. - 这个房间 *是* **给** 客人住 *的* 。Zhège fángjiān *shì* **gěi** kèrén zhù *de*.This room is for our guest to live in. - 这些钱 *是* **给**孩子上大学 *的* 。 zhèxiē qián *shì* **gěi** háizi shàng dàxué *de*.This money is for our child's college education. - 这些礼物 *是* **给** 客户准备 *的* 。Zhèxiē lǐwù *shì* **gěi** kèhù zhǔnbèi *de*.These presents are prepared for the clients. - 钱 *是* **用来** 花 *的* ，不 *是* **用来** 省*的* 。Qián *shì* **yònglái** huā *de*, bù *shì* **yònglái** shěng *de*.Money is for spending, not for saving.

See also ------------------------------------------------------- - \[...\_de%22\_patterns:\_an\_overview The "shi... de" patterns: an overview\] - \[...\_de%22\_construction\_for\_emphasizing\_details The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details\] Sources and further reading --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Books

[Categories](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:Categories): - [Structures](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Category:Structures) - [B1 grammar points](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Category:B1_grammar_points)

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