"Could it be that" with "qibushi"

The simplest way to understand 岂不是 is to think of it as "isn't it," and it is always used in a rhetorical question.

Structure

Just insert 岂不是 where you feel that "could it be that" or "isnt it." 岂不是 is usually used to start a new sentence or a clause. Since it is a rhetorical question, the speaker already knows the answer.

岂不是 + rhetorical question

Examples

• 他们 不 来 岂不是 更 好？
• 你 这样 做 岂不是 给 自己 找 麻烦？
• 如果 连 你 都 不 帮 他，他 岂不是 死 定 了？！
• 你 是 警察，这样 做 岂不是 知 法 犯法？
• 他 不 在 的时候 你 去 找 他， 岂不是 浪费 时间？

HSK6