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March 24, 2026
是不是()shìbùshì(shi4bu4shi4)
是不是 (shì bù shì) is a phrase used to ask for confirmation or clarification, essentially translating to 'is it or isn't it?' in English. It is commonly used in questions to elicit a yes or no response, making it an essential structure for conversational Mandarin.
Frequency#4441DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, asking for confirmation is a common way to show politeness and engagement in conversation. Using 是不是 reflects a desire for clarity and mutual understanding, which is highly valued in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine you're at a restaurant and you're unsure about whether a dish is spicy. You ask the waiter, 'Is it spicy or not?' The phrase '是不是' sounds like 'shuh boo shuh,' which can help you remember: 'Should I be sure or not?' This captures the essence of seeking confirmation.
Meanings of 是不是
shìbùshì(shi4bu4shi4)
1is or isn't
2yes or no
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About 是不是
是不是Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 是不是
Podcast: 是不是
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AI Study Notes for 是不是
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you're at a restaurant and you're unsure about whether a dish is spicy. You ask the waiter, 'Is it spicy or not?' The phrase '是不是' sounds like 'shuh boo shuh,' which can help you remember: 'Should I be sure or not?' This captures the essence of seeking confirmation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 是 (shì) and 不 (bù)—the first is a fourth tone while the latter is a fourth tone as well. A common mistake is to mix up the order, saying '不 是' instead of '是 不 是.' This phrase is often used in informal settings, but it can also appear in more formal contexts when seeking clarity.
HSK Study Tips
While 是不是 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is foundational for beginners as it introduces the concept of affirmation and negation. Focus on using it in simple question forms to build confidence in conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, asking for confirmation is a common way to show politeness and engagement in conversation. Using 是不是 reflects a desire for clarity and mutual understanding, which is highly valued in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 是 and 不, leading to incorrect phrases like '不 是' when they mean to say '是不是.' Always use them together in the proper order for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 是不是
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Cultural Notes for 是不是
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, asking for confirmation is a common way to show politeness and engagement in conversation. Using 是不是 reflects a desire for clarity and mutual understanding, which is highly valued in social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 是不是
Yes, 是不是 can be used to ask about any situation or fact that requires a yes or no answer.
It's primarily informal, but it can be used in formal contexts when seeking clarification.
You would typically reply with 是 (yes) or 不是 (no) based on your answer.
