zhè shì xǐyīyè.

to be

Breakdown of zhè shì xǐyīyè.

• 这zhè: this
• 洗衣液xǐyīyè: laundry liquid

Questions & Answers about zhè shì xǐyīyè.

Why does the sentence start with 这 by itself instead of 这个?

这 can stand alone as a pronoun meaning this.

In 这是洗衣液。, 这 means this and is the subject of the sentence:

• 这 = this
• 是 = is
• 洗衣液 = laundry detergent

You use 这个 when 这 is directly modifying a noun, usually with a measure word:

• 这个东西 = this thing
• 这瓶洗衣液 = this bottle of laundry detergent

So:

• 这是洗衣液。 = This is laundry detergent.
• 这瓶是洗衣液。 = This bottle contains laundry detergent / This bottle is laundry detergent

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Why is 是 used here? Is it the same as the English verb to be?