不是……吗
isn’t it…? didn’t you…? (reminds someone of what they should know)
Structure
主语 + 不是 …… 吗 ？
What it means
A question that doesn’t really ask: the speaker is sure of the answer and reminds you of it, often with surprise or a complaint: “Isn’t it…? Didn’t you…?”
How it is built
Subject + 不是 + the part you’re reminding someone of + 吗？: 你不是说今天不来吗？ (Didn’t you say you weren’t coming today?). 不是 goes right before that part: 你不是也用了吗？
When to use it
Use it to point out something the listener should know, often before a follow-up: 他不是你的同事吗？你怎么不认识他？ A plain 吗 question is neutral; this one carries surprise or blame.
Watch out
Answer the fact behind it, not the words: to 你不是说好了吗？ (You agreed, didn’t you?) reply 对，可是…… (Yes, but…).
Examples
你不是说今天不来吗？
Didn’t you say you weren’t coming today?
他不是你的同事吗？你怎么不认识他？
Isn’t he your colleague? How come you don’t know him?
这不是你的手机吗？
Isn’t this your phone?
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 21: 吵架 (An argument)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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