<p><code>当</code> here means <code>act as; be regarded as; be considered as</code>.</p>

<p><code>是</code> is simply <code>to be</code>. </p>

<p>Both words are common and can be used colloquially. In formal/academic context, I'd replace <code>当</code> with <code>作</code> or <code>当做</code>.</p>

<p>If the word is not verb but can be used as a verb, you should say 当, e.g. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>在古汉语里，很多形容词都可以<b>当</b>动词。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If the word is a verb, you should say 是, e.g. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>服务这个词既是名词，又<b>是</b>动词。</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-08T03:05:54.187Z
So 当 is used when referring to the non-general usage of the word?
Stephen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-08T03:15:43.077Z
@Stephen Not exactly but I'm lack of a better way to describe it. To raise another example, check out this sentence: 'In English, the present participle for a verb _can be used_ as a noun or an adjective'. '英语中动词的现在分词形式一般可当名词或形容词'. Instead of saying 'swimming是名词', we'd say 'swimming是swim的现在分词形式当做名词'.
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-08T03:19:52.730Z
like "acting as" - no that definitely makes sense
Stephen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-07T20:47:03.937Z
2014-08-07T20:47:03.937Z
NS.X.
<p>I am back to the classic 当 vs。 是。 I've heard some people say “这个词也可以是动词” however could  I also say "这个词 也可以当动词“  － if so, which sounds more common/colloquial? </p>

<grammar>
Would you say 当动词 or 是动词?
# Would you say 当动词 or 是动词?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-07)

I am back to the classic 当 vs。 是。 I've heard some people say “这个词也可以是动词” however could I also say "这个词 也可以当动词“ － if so, which sounds more common/colloquial?

**Tags:** grammar


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-08-07. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

`当` here means `act as; be regarded as; be considered as`.

`是` is simply `to be`.

Both words are common and can be used colloquially. In formal/academic context, I'd replace `当` with `作` or `当做`.

If the word is not verb but can be used as a verb, you should say 当, e.g.

> 在古汉语里，很多形容词都可以**当**动词。

If the word is a verb, you should say 是, e.g.

> 服务这个词既是名词，又**是**动词。

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So 当 is used when referring to the non-general usage of the word?  
> **username_1**: @username_0 Not exactly but I'm lack of a better way to describe it. To raise another example, check out this sentence: 'In English, the present participle for a verb _can be used_ as a noun or an adjective'. '英语中动词的现在分词形式一般可当名词或形容词'. Instead of saying 'swimming是名词', we'd say 'swimming是swim的现在分词形式当做名词'.  
> **username_0**: like "acting as" - no that definitely makes sense  

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