去不去？好不好？
yes-or-no questions made by saying the word twice
Structure
动词 + 不 + 动词 ？ · 形容词 + 不 + 形容词 ？ · 有没有 …… ？ · …… 了没有 ？
What it means
Say a verb or adjective, then 不, then the same word again, and you have a yes-or-no question: 去不去？ (going or not?).
How it is built
Verb / adjective + 不 + same word: 你去不去？ 好吃不好吃？ 有 takes 没: 有没有. Done yet? End with 了没有. Two-syllable words are often cut: 喜不喜欢.
When to use it
It asks the same as a 吗 question but sounds more direct. 是不是 checks a guess, and is the way to ask when there is an adverb like 也 or 很: 汤姆是不是也去？
Watch out
✗ 你去不去吗？ ✓ 你去不去？ Never add 吗. ✗ 汤姆也去不去？ ✓ 汤姆是不是也去？ An adverb can’t go before 去不去.
Examples
星期六你去不去？——去！
Are you going on Saturday? — Yes!
这个菜好吃不好吃？
Is this dish any good?
你喜欢不喜欢唱歌？——喜欢！
Do you like singing? — Yes, I do!
你吃饭了没有？——吃了。
Have you eaten yet? — Yes, I have.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 16: 一起去看电影吧 (Making plans)
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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