是的
shì de
Yes
Main term
Medical Chinese dictionary
Yes in Chinese: 是的 (shì de)
Yes in Chinese is 是的 (shì de). Chinese has no single all-purpose 'yes'. Patients usually answer by repeating the verb of your question: 疼吗？ (Does it hurt?) — 疼。 (Yes, it hurts.) / 不疼。 (No.)
Character breakdown
是 (shì, to be) + 的 (de, particle): 'it is so'.
How native speakers say it
嗯 (èn): Mm-hm (casual yes); 对对对 (duì duì duì): Yes, exactly (very common in conversation)
Also searched as
yes in Mandarin; yes please in Chinese; how to say yes in Chinese
High-yield phrases
嗯
èn
Mm-hm (casual yes)
What patients actually say
对对对
duì duì duì
Yes, exactly (very common in conversation)
What patients actually say
对
duì
Correct / that's right
Related term
好
hǎo
OK / sure
Related term
不是
bú shì
No, it isn't
Related term
您对青霉素过敏吗？
Nín duì qīngméisù guòmǐn ma?
Are you allergic to penicillin?
Example sentence
Example clinical dialogue
doctor
您对青霉素过敏吗？
Nín duì qīngméisù guòmǐn ma?
Are you allergic to penicillin?
patient
过敏。
Guòmǐn.
Yes, I am. (literally: 'allergic')
Common mistakes
- Do not expect 是 as the answer to every yes/no question. Listen for the verb being repeated (过敏 / 不过敏) and confirm when it matters.
FAQ
What is yes in Chinese?
Yes in Chinese is 是的 (shì de).
How do Chinese patients say yes?
嗯 (èn): Mm-hm (casual yes); 对对对 (duì duì duì): Yes, exactly (very common in conversation)
How do I use 是的 with a patient?
您对青霉素过敏吗？ (Nín duì qīngméisù guòmǐn ma?): "Are you allergic to penicillin?"