LEARN + CHINESE / 70 of 300 HSK 2
Check Before You Assume例 · 那位是不是你的老师
You recognize someone at the café, but you’re not quite sure. 是不是 lets you check directly: “Is that your teacher?” For a softer check when you think you already know the answer, put 吧 at the end.
那位是不是你的老师？
nà wèi shì bu shì nǐ de lǎoshī?
Is that your teacher?
你是不是也住在附近？
nǐ shì bu shì yě zhù zài fùjìn?
Do you live nearby too?
你今天也来上课吧？
nǐ jīntiān yě lái shàngkè ba?
You’re coming to class today too, right?
我们现在出发吧？
wǒmen xiànzài chūfā ba?
Let’s leave now, shall we?
Hint · 힌트
是不是 is part of the question itself and can appear before the point you’re checking: 你是不是累了？ 吧 comes at the end and makes the question sound like a confirmation or suggestion.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
shì bu shì | whether; is it or not |
ba | particle for checking or suggesting |
nà wèi | that person (polite) |
lǎoshī | teacher |
fùjìn | nearby |
zhù | to live; stay |
yě | also; too |
jīntiān | today |
shàngkè | to attend class |
xiànzài | now |
chūfā | to set off; leave |
lèi | tired |
rènshi | to know; recognize |
péngyou | friend |
tóngshì | colleague |
yīnggāi | should; probably |
duì | correct; right |
zhēnde | really; truly |
kěnéng | maybe; possible |
yào bu yào | whether or not to want |
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