Interrogative Phrases - (3) Positive-Negative Questions
疑问句 — （3）正反问句
The affirmative-negative question juxtaposes the positive and negative forms of the verb: Verb + 不/没 + Verb.
Structure
Subject + Verb + 不/没 + Verb (+ Object) ?
Elements
Positive-Negative Question
How to use it
- Whether, like, whether, have: alternative to 吗.
- Please soften the imperative: Please sit (Please sit, if you please).
- Don't for prohibitions: Don't speak!
Examples
你是不是学生？
nǐ shì bù shì xuéshēng？
Are you a student (or not)?
你有没有时间？
nǐ yǒu(yì)diǎnr méi(yǒu) shíjiān？
Do you have time (or not)?
他来不来？
tā lái bù lái？
Is he coming (or not)?
Notes and exceptions
- Equivalent to 吗 but with a more explicit binary choice.
Common mistakes
- Do not mix the two: * Are you a student or not? (Choose one or the other).
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Whether, like, whether, have: alternative to 吗.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Please soften the imperative: Please sit (Please sit, if you please).)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Don't for prohibitions: Don't speak!)