The Copula 係
Using 係 as 'to be' for identity
I can identify people and things using 係.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我係學生。
I am a student.
呢個唔係我嘅。
This is not mine.
你係邊個？
Who are you?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
係 hai6 — "to be"
係 is used to link a subject to a noun (identity/classification). It does NOT change form — no conjugation.
A 係 B = "A is B"
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | 我係學生。 | I am a student. |
| Classification | 呢個係蘋果。 | This is an apple. |
| Negation | 佢唔係老師。 | He/She is not a teacher. |
Important: Do NOT use 係 with adjectives! "I am tall" = 我好高 (NOT *我係高). Adjectives work differently — see the adjectives topic.
Using 係 with adjectives — only for nouns.
我係學生。
I am a student.
ngo5 hai6 hok6 saang1 — 係 links subject to noun identity. No article needed.
呢個唔係我嘅。
This is not mine.
ni1 go3 m4 hai6 ngo5 ge3 — Negation: 唔 before 係. 嘅 = possessive particle.
你係邊個？
Who are you?
nei5 hai6 bin1 go3 — Question with 邊個 (who). 係 remains unchanged.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises