<p>Both right, but 是的 is more common in spoken language. The 的 in here is called a modal particle.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-03T08:28:12.020Z
2015-10-03T08:28:12.020Z
markgloom
<p>I believe there is no semantic difference between 是。 and 是的。when used in answers. Both are very common, but using just one word / phoneme to reply colloquially can be a little bit too spartan / less polite sometimes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-03T03:06:03.150Z
2015-10-03T03:06:03.150Z
Siyi Deng
<p>I've seen 是的 used multiple times as a &quot;yes&quot; answer to a question.</p>
<p>As in the following interaction:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A: 这只猫是你的吗?</p>
<p>B: 是的。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>How is it different than just 是 by itself?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>

<word-choice>
Why is 的 used with 是 sometimes to answer in the affirmative? As in 是的
# Why is 的 used with 是 sometimes to answer in the affirmative? As in 是的

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-03)

I've seen 是的 used multiple times as a "yes" answer to a question.

As in the following interaction:

> A: 这只猫是你的吗?
>
> B: 是的。

How is it different than just 是 by itself?

Thanks!

**Tags:** word-choice


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-03. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Both right, but 是的 is more common in spoken language. The 的 in here is called a modal particle.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-10-03. Score: 1

I believe there is no semantic difference between 是。 and 是的。when used in answers. Both are very common, but using just one word / phoneme to reply colloquially can be a little bit too spartan / less polite sometimes.


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