Tomyo

How to say “is or is not” in Chinese with 是否 (shìfǒu)

是否 (shìfǒu) + Verb / Adj. (formal "whether")

Expressing "is or is not" with "是否 (shìfǒu)"

HSK 6Particles

Rule structure

是否 (shìfǒu) is a formal interrogative adverb meaning "whether or not". It combines 是 (shì) and 否 (fǒu) and is used in written Chinese to embed yes-no questions.

Examples

他是否同意还不清楚。

Tā shìfǒu tóngyì hái bù qīngchǔ.

Whether he agrees is still unclear.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "is or is not" with "是否 (shìfǒu)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 是否 (shìfǒu) + Verb / Adj. (formal "whether"). For example: 他是否同意还不清楚。 — “Whether he agrees is still unclear.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他是否同意还不清楚。 — “Whether he agrees is still unclear.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 6 grammar rules

Expressing "whether or not" with "与否 (yǔfǒu)"

Verb / Adj. + 与否 (yǔfǒu) — formal "whether or not"

Expressing the self-evident with "嘛 (ma)"

Statement + 嘛 (ma) — obviousness

Expressing possession with "之 (zhī)"

Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive)

Expressing "nothing but" with "无非 (wúfēi)"

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

Expressing "as well as" with "以及 (yǐjí)"

Noun A + 以及 (yǐjí) + Noun B

Expressing "let alone" with "何况 (hékuàng)"

Clause A, 何况 (hékuàng) + Clause B (even more so)

Indicating contrast with "则 (zé)"

Topic A + 则 (zé) + Comment / Verb

Expressing "all" with "凡是 (fánshì)"

凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb