Chinese word

正是

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèng shì

Meaning

  • adverbexactly

Example

这正是我想要的东西。zhè zhèng shì wǒ xiǎng yào de dōng xī

This is exactly what I want.

Illustration for 正是 (exactly)

More examples

正是那天，事情发生了改变。zhèng shì nà tiān shì qíng fā shēng le gǎi biàn

Things changed on exactly that day.

Core concept

A speaker places a clear check mark on the one answer, fact, or thing that fits.

Common phrases

  • 正是那天zhèng shì nà tiān

    exactly that day

Similar words

就是jiù shì: Strongly confirms the exact identity or truth of something.
正好zhèng hǎo: Indicates that a time, place, or situation is exactly suitable.
刚好gāng hǎo: Indicates that timing or conditions happen to fit exactly.

Definition in Chinese

表示对事实或理由的强烈确认，相当于“确实是”或“正好是”的意思。biǎo shì duì shì shí huò lǐ yóu de qiáng liè què rèn xiāng dāng yú què shí shì huò zhèng hǎo shì de yì si

Word origin

正 (zhèng, "right") + 是 (shì, "is") gives the compact idea that something is right in the stated way, which develops into a strong confirmation.

Usage tips

  • This word suits a clear answer to a question or explanation, not a guess, so it helps mark the difference between confirming a match and merely suggesting one.

Word lists with this word