Search from various English teachers...
Jason
What is the difference between 是 and 当?
What is the difference between 是 and 当?
e.g. 我是老师 vs 我当老师。
Thanks for your help!
Oct 11, 2014 8:59 AM
Answers · 11
1
Hello, glad to help u.
“是“ is a verb just like "be" in English, it can be "is"/"am"/"are". It is usually used for statement.
but, ”当“ is like "when" in English.
I can show you some examples.
1.我“是”一名英语老师(I 'am' an English teacher.)
2.当我在美国旅游时,我去了很多地方。(I have been to many places 'when' I traveled in USA.)
If you have any questions about it, just ask me :D
October 11, 2014
1
是means“yes”and“be”,当 means “when”and “if”
October 12, 2014
1
我是老师 and 我当老师 have the same meaning
while, 是 means 'am' or 'is' ,
当 means a state that you can easily change it. just like 'act as'
for example, I am Tom.we can say 我是Tom,but not 我当Tom
you can add occupation after 当,when we say I am a teacher. we can say 我是老师 or 我当老师.
or you can use it to explain assumption, let's play a game,you are student and I am teacher. 我们玩游戏,你当学生,我当老师。
当 also means 'when'. for example, when I was seven.当我七岁的时候
October 11, 2014
1
是 is a be-verb, 是 sth means the reality and the truth, 我是老师 is a state of real condition.
当is a action verb, 我当老师is an answer to what do you do, is similar to 我做老师
October 11, 2014
1
As I understand, 是 to be, 当 to work as (or perhaps to act as).
October 11, 2014
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Jason
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
Chinese (Mandarin)
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
13 likes · 12 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
12 likes · 6 Comments
More articles