Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
与否(與否)yǔfǒu(yu3fou3)
与否 (yǔfǒu) is a conjunction used to indicate uncertainty or choice, translating to 'whether or not' in English. It is often used at the end of phrases to present alternatives or questions requiring a yes or no answer, commonly in both spoken and written Chinese contexts.
Frequency#7062DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The phrase 与否 reflects the importance of clear communication in Chinese culture, particularly in formal discussions where clarity about choices and decisions is valued.
Memory Tip
Think of 与 (yǔ) as 'to give' or 'and' and 否 (fǒu) as 'no' or 'not'. Imagine someone asking, 'Will you give me a yes or no?' to help remember that 与否 signifies a choice between two opposites.
Meanings of 与否
yǔfǒu(yu3fou3)
1whether or not (at the end of a phrase)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 与否
与否Simplified
與否Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 与否
Podcast: 与否
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 与否
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 与 (yǔ) as 'to give' or 'and' and 否 (fǒu) as 'no' or 'not'. Imagine someone asking, 'Will you give me a yes or no?' to help remember that 与否 signifies a choice between two opposites.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 与否 with other phrases that imply agreement or disagreement. It is typically used in more formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing 否 can lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
While 与否 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to decision-making phrases commonly found in HSK levels 4 and 5. Students should focus on recognizing its structure and usage in complex sentences.
Cultural Note
The phrase 与否 reflects the importance of clear communication in Chinese culture, particularly in formal discussions where clarity about choices and decisions is valued.
Common Mistakes
Learners often omit 与否 in sentences where it is needed, leading to incomplete questions. For example, saying '你来吗?' (Are you coming?) instead of '你来与否?' (Are you coming or not?) can sound vague.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 与否
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 与否 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 与否 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 与否
🏮Cultural insight
The phrase 与否 reflects the importance of clear communication in Chinese culture, particularly in formal discussions where clarity about choices and decisions is valued.
Frequently Asked Questions about 与否
Use 与否 when presenting a choice or asking for confirmation, especially in formal situations.
Yes, but it is more common in written Chinese or formal speech.
In some cases, you can use 是不是 (shì bù shì), but it may change the nuance and formality.
