Tag questions with "bu"

As well as tag questions with ma, tag questions can also be formed using 不 (bù). This is done with a positive negative question.

Structure

Verb + 不 + Verb

This can then be attached to the end of a sentence to form a tag question. Tag questions seek confirmation or acceptance of what has been said. In English, "right?" and "OK?" are often used as tag questions.

Examples

• 我们 去 咖啡 店， 好 不 好 ？Let's go to the cafe, OK?
• 我们 喝 茶， 好 不 好 ？Let's have tea, OK?
• 回 家， 好 不 好 ？We're going home, OK?
• 他 是 你 的 老板， 对 不 对 ？He's your boss, right?
• 我们 是 好 朋友， 对 不 对 ？We are good friends, right?
• Apple 用 中文 说 是“苹果”， 对 不 对 ？"Apple" in Chinese is "Pingguo," right?
• 你 姓 王， 是 不 是 ？Your last name is Wang, is it not?
• 九 点 开 会， 是 不 是 ？We are going to hold a meeting at 9, right?
• 你 会 说 中文， 是 不 是 ？You speak Chinese, right?
• 你 有 新 女朋友 了， 是 不 是 ？You have a new girlfriend, right?

See also

• Yes-no questions with "ma"
• Tag questions with "ma"
• Affirmative-negative questions

Sources and Further Reading

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (1st ed) (pp. 85-86)　→buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (p. 218) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 152-7) →buy