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    Chinese Grammar

    Rhetorical questions with 不是 as a sentence opener (bùshì)

    HSK 3
    Emphasis
    Questions

    Structure

    不是 + Clause + 吗？

    Explanation

    When 不是 appears at the beginning of a sentence, it can introduce a rhetorical question that implies the speaker already knows the answer. The speaker uses this to remind the listener of a known fact or to gently challenge a statement. It carries a tone of "isn't it the case that…?"

    Examples

    • 不是说好了今天一起吃饭吗？

      bú shì shuō hǎo le jīntiān yìqǐ chī fàn ma?

      Didn't we agree to have dinner together today?

    • 不是你自己答应的吗，怎么又反悔了？

      bú shì nǐ zìjǐ dāyìng de ma, zěnme yòu fǎnhuǐ le?

      Didn't you agree to it yourself? How can you go back on your word?

    • 不是还有时间吗，别着急。

      bú shì hái yǒu shíjiān ma, bié zhāojí.

      Isn't there still time? Don't rush.

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    Rhetorical questions with 不是 as a sentence opener (bùshì) | Chinese Grammar