别是 (bié) — (fixed phrase) could it be that...; it may be that... (expressing worried conjecture)
Definition
别是 (biéshì) marks a worried guess: 'could it be that…?', used when the speaker suspects something bad may have happened. Tone is anxious speculation, not neutral possibility.
verb
(fixed phrase) could it be that...it may be that... (expressing worried conjecture)
Examples
- 别是？bié Tā chū shì le?Could it be that something happened to him?
- 别是？bié Yào shi wàng zài jiā lǐ le?Could it be that I left the keys at home?
- 别是？bié Tā bù lái le?Could it be that she's not coming?
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