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HSK 2.0 Niveau 4+ HSK 3.0 Niveau 4+ 6 min de lecture

Topic Emphasis with 是

Highlight the part of a statement that matters most.

Pattern

Topic + 是 + comment focus

Use 是 to sharpen contrast or emphasis, not just identity.

我是昨天给他打电话的。

When to use Topic Emphasis with 是

是 can emphasize a focused part of a sentence, especially in contrastive or corrective statements. It points the listener to the key information.

不是我不想去，是我没时间。

It is not that I do not want to go; I do not have time.

重点不是速度，而是质量。

The key point is not speed, but quality.

这个问题是他发现的。

It was he who discovered this problem.

我说的是这个意思。

What I mean is this meaning.

Common traps

  • Do not mistake emphasis 是 for simple identity 是.
  • The focused detail should be worth emphasizing.
  • 不是...而是... corrects one idea with another.

Exercice ciblé

Entraînez-vous sur ce schéma exact avant de continuer.

我 昨天给他打电话的

Missing grammar piece
Sens
emphasis marker