不是…吗 búshì…ma

不是…吗（búshì…ma）means “"Isn't it...?" — a rhetorical question seeking confirmation.”. 不是 . Formation: 不是 + … + 吗

"Isn't it...?" — a rhetorical question seeking confirmation.

HSK4

Formation

不是 + … + 吗

Explanation

不是 ... 吗 forms a rhetorical question whose real meaning is a strong affirmative: the speaker is sure and asks the listener to agree. 这不是你的书吗？= "Isn't this your book?" (= it clearly is). Depending on tone, it can express reminding, surprise, or mild reproach.

Examples

这不是你的书吗？
zhè búshì nǐ de shū ma?
Isn't this your book?
你不是已经吃过了吗？
nǐ búshì yǐjīng chī guo le ma?
Haven't you already eaten?

Note

不是 is pronounced búshì (不 changes to bú before the 4th-tone 是).

FAQ

不是…吗 — what does it mean and how is it used?

"Isn't it...?" — a rhetorical question seeking confirmation.. 不是 ... 吗 forms a rhetorical question whose real meaning is a strong affirmative: the speaker is sure and asks the listener to agree. 这不是你的书吗？= "Isn't this your book?" (= it clearly is). Depending on tone, it can express reminding, surprise, or mild reproach.

不是…吗 — how do you form it?

不是 + … + 吗

不是…吗 — any usage notes?

不是 is pronounced búshì (不 changes to bú before the 4th-tone 是).

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