Verb To Be

Question

I don't know the meaning of the verb to be " is to" and "what" in this sentence:

"Rice is to the Chinese what potatoes are to many Europeans".

Can you explain the meaning of this sentence to me.

Thanks a lot

Tuan0296

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I don't know the meaning of the verb to be " is to" and "what" in this sentence:

"Rice is to the Chinese what potatoes are to many Europeans".

Can you explain the meaning of this sentence to me.

Consider this simpler example.

Water is to a fish what air is to a man.

ie a fish lives in and needs water in the same way that a man lives in and needs air.

Or this.

AIDS is to the 21st century what smallpox was to the 19th century.

Both were or are feared as dreadful diseases.

Rice is a staple of the diet of Chinese people, in the same way that potatoes are a staple of the diet of many Europeans.

Clive

Verb To Be

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