别是 (bié shì) — (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 shì Tā chū shì le?Could it be that something happened to him?
- 别是？bié shì Yào shi wàng zài jiā lǐ le?Could it be that I left the keys at home?
- 别是？bié shì Tā bù lái le?Could it be that she's not coming?
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