How to use 岂不是
Situation / subject + 岂不是 + implication？
岂不是 introduces a rhetorical question that urges the listener to recognize a conclusion. The speaker treats the implication as evident, often because the preceding situation makes it hard to deny. English may use wouldn't that be or doesn't that mean. The result can support an argument, point out an inconsistency, or warn that an action creates an unwanted consequence.
Place 岂不是 before the conclusion being highlighted, with a preceding clause or subject establishing what it refers to. The expected response is usually agreement rather than new information. Its tone is more pointed and formal than a neutral yes-or-no question. Make the inferential connection clear so the listener can see why the conclusion is being pressed.
Examples with pinyin and English
门都锁了，现在去岂不是白跑一趟？
The door is locked. Wouldn't going now just be a wasted trip?
The rhetorical question presses an obvious consequence.
你已经有两本了，再买一本岂不是浪费？
You already have two copies. Wouldn't buying another be wasteful?
岂不是 challenges the proposed action through its implication.
如果人人都迟到，会议岂不是开不成了？
If everyone arrives late, wouldn't the meeting become impossible to hold?
A condition establishes the grounds for the rhetorical conclusion.
What to remember
- Use 岂不是 to press an implied conclusion.
- Provide the situation supporting that implication.
- Expect rhetorical force rather than a neutral information request.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation and examples written for Laowai using the grammar curriculum as a topic reference. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.