ParticlesHSK 6
Expressing "is or is not" with 是否
是否 is a formal way to express "whether or not" in Chinese. Place it directly before a verb or adjective to indicate a choice or uncertainty. Note that 是否 cannot be used as a standalone question word like "whether" in English; it typically appears within a statement or embedded question.
Structure
是否 + Verb / Adj.
Examples
- 我不知道他是否会来。Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shìfǒu huì lái.I don't know whether he will come.
- 请问，是否可以在这里停车？Qǐng wèn, shìfǒu kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ tíngchē?Excuse me, is it allowed to park here?
- 结果是否正确还不清楚。Jiéguǒ shìfǒu zhèngquè hái bù qīngchu.It is still unclear whether the result is correct.
- 你是否同意这个建议？Nǐ shìfǒu tóngyì zhège jiànyì?Do you agree with this suggestion?
- 他是否有时间参加会议？Tā shìfǒu yǒu shíjiān cānjiā huìyì?Does he have time to attend the meeting?