HSK 4 Types of Phrases (Complex Sentence) Complex Sentence Choice Conjunctions

Complex Phrases of Choice - 不是……、就是……

选择复句 — 不是……、就是……

Understand the use of 不是…… / 就是…… and their place in the sentence.

Elements

不是……就是……

How to use it

  • For 就是, take a model phrase like 就是这个 (This is it) and replace only the variable information.
  • Copy a model phrase (就是这个) and replace the subject/object/time while keeping the same structure.
  • Context: especially in explanation and argumentation.

Examples

就是这个

jiùshì zhège

This is it

我就是他

wǒ jiùshì tā

It's me

就是说

jiùshì shuō

That's why

Notes and exceptions

  • 就 — Consequence / immediacy: Very versatile
  • often with conditional or rapid structures (一…就…).

Common mistakes

  • Check the order of elements before speaking or writing.
  • Use a complete sentence to validate the structure in a real context.

Practice quiz

Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.

1. ____这个

(This is it)

2. 我____他

(It's me)

3. ____说

(That's why)