是不是 (shì bù shì) — (question tag) right?; isn't it? (used at the end of a statement to seek confirmation); (conjunction) whether or not (used to introduce an indirect question or choice); (question particle) used to form a yes-no question (placed after the subject)
Definition
是不是 is a versatile yes-no question marker. At the end of a statement it works like a tag question ('right?'), but as 是不是 + verb/phrase it forms a yes-no question by fronting, similar in function to 吗 at the end.
verb
(question tag) right?isn't it? (used at the end of a statement to seek confirmation)(question particle) used to form a yes-no question (placed after the subject)
conjunction
whether or not (used to introduce an indirect question or choice)
Examples
- ，是不是？Nǐ shì lǎo shī, shì bù shì?You are a teacher, right?
- 是不是。Wǒ bù zhī dào tā shì bù shì tóng yì.I don't know whether he agrees or not.
- 是不是？Nǐ shì bù shì xǐ huan chī là de?Do you like spicy food or not?
Grammar
Appears in
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