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How to say “isn’t it…?” in Chinese with 岂不是

岂不是 (qǐ bù shì) + Rhetorical Question

"Could it be that" with "岂不是 (qǐ bù shì)"

HSK 6Sentence patterns

Rule structure

岂不是 (qǐbùshì) is a rhetorical adverb meaning "isn’t it…, wouldn’t it be…". It implies the speaker strongly believes the answer is "yes". Formal/literary.

Examples

这岂不是很好吗？

Zhè qǐbùshì hěn hǎo ma?

Isn’t this good?

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “"Could it be that" with "岂不是 (qǐ bù shì)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 岂不是 (qǐ bù shì) + Rhetorical Question. For example: 这岂不是很好吗？ — “Isn’t this good?”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这岂不是很好吗？ — “Isn’t this good?”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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More HSK 6 grammar rules

Expressing "could it be possible that" with "莫非 (mòfēi)"

莫非 (mòfēi) + Speculation?

Expressing "must" with "非得 (fēiděi)"

Subj. + 非得 (fēiděi) + Verb Phrase + 不可 (bùkě) / 才行 (cái xíng)

Expressing "at the same time" with "兼 (jiān)"

兼 (jiān) + Noun / Verb (concurrently)

Expressing "similar to" with "跟 (gēn) … 似的 (shìde)"

跟 (gēn) + Noun + 似的 (shìde) — as if, like

Expressing "to be worthy of" with "不愧是 (bùkuì shì)"

不愧是 (bùkuì shì) + Noun / Noun Phrase

Expressing "nothing is more…than" with "莫过于 (mòguòyú)"

莫过于 (mòguòyú) + Noun / Verb Phrase

Expressing "from this" with "由此 (yóucǐ)"

由此 (yóucǐ) + Verb / Clause (hence, thus)

Adding emphasis with "非 (fēi) … 不可 (bùkě)"

非 (fēi) + Verb / Noun + 不可 (bùkě)