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Questions & Answers about Zij is Anna.
Why does this sentence use zij instead of ze?
Both zij and ze mean she. Zij is the stressed form, used when you want to put emphasis on the person (as in, SHE is Anna, not that other person). Ze is the unstressed form that you will hear most often in everyday casual speech.
I know zij can also mean they. How can I tell it means she in this sentence?
You can figure it out by looking at the verb! Here, the verb is is, which is singular. Because of that, zij has to mean she. If the sentence was about multiple people (they), it would use the plural verb zijn instead.
Is the verb is exactly the same word as in English?
Yes, the spelling and meaning are exactly the same! In Dutch, is is the form of the irregular verb zijn (to be) that always goes with the singular pronouns hij (he), zij (she), and het (it).