是不是是不是 shì bú shì can go at the end of a statement, or right before the part you want to confirm. Either way, the speaker already has a guess and just wants you to say “yes.”
1Structure
Statement + 是不是是不是 shì bú shì
Tag 是不是是不是 shì bú shì onto the end of a statement to check information that’s already known or obvious from context.
你會說中文，是不是？
你会说中文，是不是？
You speak Chinese, right?
那家餐廳要先預約，是不是？
那家餐厅要先预约，是不是？
We need to book that restaurant first, right?
你家也有狗，是不是？
你家也有狗，是不是？
You have a dog too, don’t you?
你們還要很久才會好，是不是？
你们还要很久才会好，是不是？
It’ll still take you guys a long time to get ready, right?
爸爸還沒回來，是不是？
爸爸还没回来，是不是？
Dad’s not back yet, is he?
是不是是不是 shì bú shì + Predicate
Put 是不是是不是 shì bú shì right before the verb or adjective you want to confirm. Compare it with the ordinary yes-no questions:
📌 嗎吗 ma vs. 有沒有有没有 yǒu méiyǒu vs. 是不是是不是 shì bú shì
These two are real questions: the speaker has no idea what the answer is.
你有女朋友嗎？你有女朋友吗？
Do you have a girlfriend?
你有沒有女朋友？你有没有女朋友？
Do you have a girlfriend or not?
This one is seeking confirmation: the speaker has already guessed the answer.
你是不是有女朋友？你是不是有女朋友？
You have a girlfriend, don’t you?
啊！我是不是少買了一張票？
啊！我是不是少买了一张票？
Oh no! Did I buy one ticket too few?
他的說法是不是很容易讓人誤會！
他的说法是不是很容易让人误会！
Isn’t the way he put it really easy to misunderstand?!
我們約在公館站是不是比較近？
我们约在公馆站是不是比较近？
Wouldn’t it be closer if we met at Gongguan Station?
我們是不是有10年沒見了？
我们是不是有10年没见了？
It’s been 10 years since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?
你是不是忘記今天是我生日了…
你是不是忘记今天是我生日了…
You forgot today is my birthday, didn’t you…
2個月沒見，你是不是瘦了？
2个月没见，你是不是瘦了？
Haven’t seen you in 2 months. You’ve lost weight, haven’t you?
🏮 Culture Note
In Western culture, commenting on someone’s appearance can be quite impolite. In Taiwan and China, it’s very common. Some younger people don’t love it, but mentioning physical changes is still a normal way to show concern. It’s really just a greeting. So if someone says “Have you gained weight?”, “You look tired,” or “Your face looks rounder,” don’t take it too seriously. A quick “Oh yeah, I guess so” is all you need.
2Modern Usage
是不是是不是 shì bú shì！ = “I know, right?”
In texts and among younger people, 是不是是不是 shì bú shì on its own is used to agree enthusiastically with what someone just said.
A
你衣服很好看，在哪裡買的？你衣服很好看，在哪里买的？
Your outfit looks great. Where did you buy it?
B
是不是！我在夜市買的，一件才190是不是！我在夜市买的，一件才190
I know, right? I got it at the night market, only 190 each!
A
中文也太難學了吧！中文也太难学了吧！
Chinese is sooo hard to learn!
B
是不是！我早就跟你說過了！是不是！我早就跟你说过了！
I know, right? I told you so a long time ago!
A
狗好可愛喔狗好可爱喔
Dogs are so adorable.
B
是不是！你要不要也養一隻？是不是！你要不要也养一只？
I know, right? Do you want to get one too?
3Common Mistakes
❌
你是不是會說中文嗎？
你是不是会说中文吗？
✅
你是不是會說中文？
你是不是会说中文？
是不是是不是 shì bú shì already makes the sentence a question, so don’t add 嗎吗 ma at the end.
4Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01He’s drunk, isn’t he?
他是不是喝醉了
他是不是喝醉了？
👆 Tap to reveal
02Shouldn’t you apologize to me first?
你是不是應該先跟我道歉
你是不是应该先跟我道歉？
👆 Tap to reveal
03Your older brother has been busy lately, hasn’t he?
哥哥最近很忙，是不是
哥哥最近很忙，是不是？
👆 Tap to reveal
04You’re a student, right?
你是學生，是不是
你是学生，是不是？
👆 Tap to reveal
05It’s going to rain tomorrow, isn’t it?
明天會下雨，是不是
明天会下雨，是不是？
👆 Tap to reveal
06You forgot my name, didn’t you?
你是不是忘記我的名字了
你是不是忘记我的名字了？
👆 Tap to reveal
07This is your first time in Taiwan, right?
你是不是第一次來台灣
你是不是第一次来台湾？
👆 Tap to reveal
08Your friend says, “This cake is so good!” Reply “I know, right?”
👆 Tap to reveal
