zhè shì yànzhèngmǎ.

to be

Breakdown of zhè shì yànzhèngmǎ.

• 这zhè: this
• 验证码yànzhèngmǎ: verification code

Questions & Answers about zhè shì yànzhèngmǎ.

Why is 这 translated as this here, and why is there no noun right after it?

In 这是验证码。, 这 is being used as a pronoun, so it means this by itself.

• 这 = this
• 是 = is
• 验证码 = verification code

So the structure is:

• 这 + 是 + 验证码
• This + is + a verification code

This is different from using 这 directly before a noun, like:

• 这个验证码 = this verification code

In that case, 这 is not standing alone; it is modifying a noun.

What does 是 do in this sentence?

是 is the verb to be in sentences where one thing is being identified as another.

In 这是验证码。, 是 links 这 and 验证码, just like is in English:

• 这 是 验证码。
• This is a verification code.

A very common beginner pattern is:

• A 是 B
• A is B

Examples:

• 这是老师。 = This is a teacher.
• 那是我的手机。 = That is my phone.