How to say “is or is not” in Chinese with 是否 (shìfǒu)
是否 (shìfǒu) + Verb / Adj. (formal "whether")
是否 (shì fǒu) — is or is not, whether
是否 (shìfǒu) + Verb / Adj. (formal "whether")
HSK 6Particles是否 (shì fǒu) — is or is not, whether
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.
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.
Examples
他是否同意还不清楚。
Tā shìfǒu tóngyì hái bù qīngchǔ.
Whether he agrees is still unclear.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “is or is not, whether” in Chinese with 是否?
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.
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More HSK 6 grammar rules
与否 — whether or not
Verb / Adj. + 与否 (yǔfǒu) — formal "whether or not"
嘛 — self-evident statement
Statement + 嘛 (ma) — obviousness
之 — possessive “of”
Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive)
无非 — nothing but
无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)
以及 — as well as
Noun A + 以及 (yǐjí) + Noun B
何况 — let alone
Clause A, 何况 (hékuàng) + Clause B (even more so)
则 — contrast, “whereas”
Topic A + 则 (zé) + Comment / Verb
凡是 — all, every
凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb