zhè shì xǐyīfěn.

to be

Breakdown of zhè shì xǐyīfěn.

• 这zhè: this
• 洗衣粉xǐyīfěn: laundry powder

Questions & Answers about zhè shì xǐyīfěn.

Why does the sentence start with 这? What does it do here?

这 means this. It points to something near the speaker.

In 这是洗衣粉, 这 is the subject of the sentence, so the structure is:

这 + 是 + 洗衣粉
this + is + laundry detergent

So the whole sentence literally follows the same basic pattern as English: This is laundry detergent.

What does 是 mean in this sentence?

是 means to be in the sense of is / am / are when connecting one noun to another noun.

In this sentence, it links:

• 这 = this
• 洗衣粉 = laundry detergent

So 这是洗衣粉 means This is laundry detergent.

A useful thing to remember: 是 is commonly used when one thing is being identified as another thing.

Why is it 这 and not 这个?