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    Chinese Grammar

    Asking yes-or-no questions with 是不是 (shì bu shì)

    Questions

    Structure

    Subject + 是不是 + Predicate / 是不是 + Clause

    Explanation

    是不是 (shì bu shì) is used to form yes-or-no questions by seeking confirmation from the listener. It can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question expecting agreement or denial.

    Examples

    • 你是不是已经吃过饭了？

      Nǐ shì bú shì yǐjīng chī guò fàn le?

      Have you already eaten?

    • 这件事是不是他告诉你的？

      Zhè jiàn shì shì bú shì tā gàosu nǐ de?

      Was it him who told you about this?

    • 明天的会议是不是取消了？

      Míngtiān de huìyì shì bú shì qǔxiāo le?

      Has tomorrow's meeting been canceled?

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    Asking yes-or-no questions with 是不是 (shì bu shì) | Chinese Grammar