是 shì 、很 hěn 、得 dě

是 shì
is, "equal to"

是 shì translated as is but more specifically means equal to.

Can you recognize 是?

是 shì can be used with nouns to connote an equal to relationship. You can use 是 shì to say I am a Chinese person. That is an A = B relationship. But do not use 是 shì to say I am happy. That is not an A = B relationship. You do not equal happiness.

不是 bùshì is the negative of 是 shì.

不 bù is a negative particles, so 不是 bùshì means is not or does not equal.

很 hěn
is, very, "is indeed"

很 hěn links a subject and adjective. Sometimes, 很 hěn is translated as very, but it is a very weak form of very that is more accurately translated as is or is indeed. 很 hěn can translate as is, as can 是 shì. However, 很 hěn and 是 shì are not interchangeable; 是 shì cannot be used with an adjective. A subject and adjective are never alone together, except when making a contrast, or when using 嗎/吗 ma.

得 dě