How to use 与否
Predicate + 与否，comment; main clause + predicate + 与否
与否 adds the alternative or not after a predicate. The resulting phrase treats the truth of that predicate as an issue to be evaluated, discussed, or connected with another fact. It is common in formal writing about success, availability, health, and other conditions. The expression does not itself answer the question; it packages the alternative for the larger sentence.
Put 与否 after the complete relevant predicate, rather than before it as with 是否. The resulting phrase may serve as a topic or belong inside another clause. Keep its scope clear when the predicate is long. The comment that follows can explain what determines the outcome, what consequences depend on it, or why the distinction matters.
Examples with pinyin and English
参加与否，请今天告诉我。
Please tell me today whether you will take part.
与否 follows the action and makes it the topic.
计划可行与否，还需要讨论。
Whether the plan is feasible still needs discussion.
The whether-or-not expression follows the complete descriptive predicate.
申请成功与否，我们都会发邮件通知你。
We will email you whether or not the application succeeds.
The larger sentence states a response covering both alternatives.
What to remember
- Put 与否 after the predicate it questions.
- Use the resulting phrase within a larger statement.
- Contrast its position with predicate-initial 是否.
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.