是不是 shì bú shì turns a sentence into a yes/no question, but with a twist: you use it when you already think you know the answer and just want to check. It’s a lot like “right?”, “isn’t it?” or “don’t you?” at the end of an English sentence.
一 Statement + 是不是
Statement，是不是？
Say what you think is true, then add 是不是 shì bú shì at the end to check.
你會会說说中文，是不是？
You speak Chinese, right?
那家餐廳餐厅要先預約预约，是不是？
We need to make a reservation at that restaurant first, right?
你家也有狗，是不是？
You have a dog too, don’t you?
你們你们還还要很久才會会好，是不是？
You guys are going to take a long time to get ready, aren’t you?
爸爸還还沒没回來回来，是不是？
Dad isn’t back yet, is he?
二 是不是 + Verb / Adjective
Subject + 是不是 + Verb / Adjective
是不是 shì bú shì can also go right before the verb or adjective. It still checks something you already suspect.
啊！我是不是少買买了一張张票？
Oh no! Did I buy one ticket too few?
他的說法说法是不是很容易讓让人誤會误会？
The way he put it is really easy to misunderstand, isn’t it?
我們我们約约在公館站公馆站是不是比較比较近？
It’d be closer to meet at Gongguan Station, wouldn’t it?
我們我们是不是有十年沒没見见了？
It’s been ten years since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it?
你是不是忘記忘记今天是我生日了⋯
Did you forget that today is my birthday…?
兩两個个月沒没見见，你是不是瘦了？
Haven’t seen you in two months. Have you lost weight?
You look… different?In many Western cultures, commenting on someone’s looks can seem rude. In Taiwan and China, it’s really common. Some younger people don’t love it, but in general, noticing changes in how someone looks is a way of showing you care. It’s basically a greeting!
So if someone asks, “Did you gain weight?”, “You look tired,” or “Your face looks rounder,” don’t take it too seriously. Just say something like “Oh, yeah, maybe,” and move on. 😅
三嗎吗 vs. 有沒有有没有 vs. 是不是
All three of these ask “Do you have a girlfriend?”, but they don’t mean quite the same thing.
你有女朋友女朋友嗎吗？
Do you have a girlfriend?
A plain question. The speaker has no idea what the answer is.
你有沒有有没有女朋友女朋友？
Do you have a girlfriend or not?
Also a plain question. The speaker has no clue.
你是不是有女朋友女朋友？
You have a girlfriend, don’t you?
The speaker already suspects the answer is yes and wants to confirm it. 👀
四 Modern Usage: “I Know, Right?”
In texts and casual chat, especially among younger people, 是不是 shì bú shì on its own is used to agree with someone, like “I know, right?!”
A你的衣服很好看，在哪裡哪里買买的？
Your outfit looks great! Where did you get it?
B是不是！我在夜市買买的，一件才一百九十塊块！
I know, right? I got it at the night market. Only 190 dollars!
A中文也太難难學学了吧！
Chinese is sooo hard to learn!
B是不是！我早就跟你說過说过了！
I know, right? I told you so!
A狗好可愛可爱喔！
Dogs are so cute!
B是不是！你要不要也養养一隻只？
I know, right? Want to get one too?
五 Common Mistakes
❌ 你是不是有女朋友女朋友嗎吗？
✅ 你是不是有女朋友女朋友？
是不是 shì bú shì already makes it a question, so don’t add 嗎 ma吗 ma too.
❌ 你是不是叫什麼什么名字？
✅ 你叫什麼什么名字？
是不是 shì bú shì is only for yes/no questions. It can’t be used together with question words like 什麼 shénme什么 shénme, 誰 shéi谁 shéi or 哪裡 nǎlǐ哪里 nǎli.
六 Practice
Tap the words below in the right order to build the sentence, then check your answer. If it’s wrong, you can try again as many times as you like, or hit “Show answer” if you get stuck. Careful: some tiles are traps and are not needed!
Question 1 of 10
“He’s drunk, isn’t he?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
他是不是喝醉了？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end (他喝醉了，是不是？) is also correct.
The 嗎 ma吗 ma tile is a trap: 是不是 shì bú shì is already the question.
“Shouldn’t you apologize to me first?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
你是不是應該应该先跟我道歉？
You’re pretty sure the answer is yes! 😤
“My older brother has been really busy lately, hasn’t he?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
哥哥最近很忙，是不是？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì before 很忙 hěn máng or before 最近 zuìjìn is also correct.
Statement first, then 是不是 shì bú shì to check.
“You’re Japanese, right?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
你是日本人，是不是？
你是不是日本人？ is also correct.
You think they’re Japanese and want to check.
“The movie’s about to start, isn’t it?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
電影电影快要開始开始了，是不是？
電影是不是快要開始了？电影是不是快要开始了？ is also correct.
快要⋯了 kuài yào … le = “about to.”
“Did you forget to bring your keys?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
你是不是又忘了帶带鑰匙钥匙？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end is also correct.
The 又 yòu (“again”) tells you this has happened before, so the speaker is pretty sure. 😅
“This one is cheaper, isn’t it?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
這個这个是不是比較比较便宜便宜？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end is also correct.
是不是 shì bú shì goes right before the adjective phrase.
“You didn’t sleep well last night, did you?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
你昨天晚上是不是沒没睡好？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end or before the time word is also correct.
Notice their tired face? 是不是 shì bú shì lets you check gently.
“It’s going to rain tomorrow, isn’t it?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
明天是不是會会下雨？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end is also correct.
The 什麼 shénme什么 shénme tile is a trap. 是不是 shì bú shì can’t be combined with question words.
“Did you get a haircut?”
Tap words below to build the sentence
❌ Try Again
你是不是剪頭髮头发了？
Putting 是不是 shì bú shì at the end is also correct.
You notice a change and check. Very Taiwanese small talk! 💇
