The pattern 不就...吗 (bù jiù...ma) is a rhetorical structure that means "isn't it just..." or "it's nothing more than..." It's used to minimize the importance of something, make it seem simple, or sometimes to be dismissive. The tone can range from reassuring to slightly condescending depending on context.
不就...吗 Rhetorical Pattern
intermediate
Structure: 不就 + [simple description] + 吗
Function:
- Minimizes the importance of something
- Makes complex things seem simple
- Can be reassuring or dismissive
- Rhetorical question that doesn't expect an answer
Tone varies based on context and delivery.
Basic Structure and Formation
不就是一个考试吗？别紧张。
Bù jiù shì yí gè kǎoshì ma? Bié jǐnzhāng.
Isn't it just an exam? Don't be nervous.
Word breakdown:
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
一个yí gèonenumber + classifier
考试kǎoshìexamnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
别biédon'tadverb
紧张jǐnzhāngbe nervousadjective
Pattern Analysis:
- 不就 introduces the minimizing tone
- Simple description in the middle
- 吗 creates the rhetorical question
- Often followed by advice or reassurance
这不就是普通的感冒吗？喝点水就好了。
Zhè bù jiù shì pǔtōng de gǎnmào ma? Hē diǎn shuǐ jiù hǎo le.
Isn't this just a common cold? Drink some water and you'll be fine.
Word breakdown:
这zhèthisdemonstrative
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
普通的pǔtōng deordinaryadjective
感冒gǎnmàocoldnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
喝点水hē diǎn shuǐdrink some waterverb phrase
就好了jiù hǎo lewill be finephrase
Reassuring/Comforting Usage
不就是搬家吗？我来帮你。
Bù jiù shì bānjiā ma? Wǒ lái bāng nǐ.
Isn't it just moving house? I'll help you.
Word breakdown:
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
搬家bānjiāmoving houseverb
吗maquestion particleparticle
我wǒIpronoun
来láicomeverb
帮bānghelpverb
你nǐyoupronoun
不就是做个演讲吗？你肯定没问题的。
Bù jiù shì zuò gè yǎnjiǎng ma? Nǐ kěndìng méi wèntí de.
Isn't it just giving a speech? You'll definitely be fine.
Word breakdown:
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
做个zuò gègive averb + classifier
演讲yǎnjiǎngspeechnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
你nǐyoupronoun
肯定kěndìngdefinitelyadverb
没问题méi wèntíno problemphrase
的deemphasis particleparticle
Dismissive Usage
不就...吗 Tone Variations
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不就是...吗 | bù jiù shì...ma | reassuring tone - it's just... | HSK 4 |
| 不就是...吗 | bù jiù shì...ma | dismissive tone - it's only... | HSK 4 |
| 这不就是...吗 | zhè bù jiù shì...ma | pointing out obviousness | HSK 4 |
3 words
不就是买个包吗？有什么好纠结的。
Bù jiù shì mǎi gè bāo ma? Yǒu shénme hǎo jiūjié de.
Isn't it just buying a bag? What's there to struggle over?
Word breakdown:
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
买个mǎi gèbuy averb + classifier
包bāobagnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
有什么yǒu shénmewhat is therephrase
好hǎoworthy ofadverb
纠结的jiūjié destruggling oververb + particle
Pointing Out Obviousness
这不就是你一直想要的工作吗？
Zhè bù jiù shì nǐ yìzhí xiǎng yào de gōngzuò ma?
Isn't this just the job you've always wanted?
Word breakdown:
这zhèthisdemonstrative
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
你nǐyoupronoun
一直yìzhíalwaysadverb
想要的xiǎng yào dewantedverb phrase
工作gōngzuòjobnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
他不就是想得到关注吗？
Tā bù jiù shì xiǎng dédào guānzhù ma?
Isn't he just trying to get attention?
Word breakdown:
他tāhepronoun
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
想xiǎngwantverb
得到dédàogetverb
关注guānzhùattentionnoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
Making Complex Things Seem Simple
编程不就是写代码吗？很简单啊。
Biānchéng bù jiù shì xiě dàimǎ ma? Hěn jiǎndān a.
Isn't programming just writing code? It's very simple.
Word breakdown:
编程biānchéngprogrammingnoun
不就bù jiùisn't it justpattern marker
是shìisverb
写xiěwriteverb
代码dàimǎcodenoun
吗maquestion particleparticle
很hěnveryadverb
简单jiǎndānsimpleadjective
啊aemphasis particleparticle
Common Contexts and Situations
1. Calming Someone's Anxiety
不就是第一天上班吗？放轻松点。
Bù jiù shì dì yī tiān shàngbān ma? Fàng qīngsōng diǎn.
Isn't it just the first day of work? Relax a bit.
2. Responding to Complaints
不就是排队等一会儿吗？没那么严重。
Bù jiù shì páiduì děng yīhuǐ'er ma? Méi nàme yánzhòng.
Isn't it just waiting in line for a while? It's not that serious.
3. Minimizing Problems
不就是迟到了五分钟吗？老板不会生气的。
Bù jiù shì chídào le wǔ fēnzhōng ma? Lǎobǎn bù huì shēngqì de.
Isn't it just being five minutes late? The boss won't be angry.
Practice Exercises
Complete the 不就...吗 Pattern
1 of 4
Making an exam seem simple: ___一个小测试___？
Tone and Context Guidelines
Reassuring tone:
- Used to comfort worried people
- Followed by encouragement
- Gentle delivery
Dismissive tone:
- Used when someone is overreacting
- Can sound condescending
- Sharp delivery
Obvious-pointing tone:
- Used to highlight clear situations
- Often with slight frustration
- Matter-of-fact delivery
Real-World Usage
不就...吗 appears frequently in:
- Family conversations
- Workplace discussions
- Friend interactions
- Problem-solving situations
- Advice-giving contexts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Wrong question particle
- ✅ 不就是考试吗
- ❌ 不就是考试呢
-
Missing 是 in descriptions
- ✅ 不就是一个游戏吗
- ❌ 不就一个游戏吗
-
Using in formal contexts
- Too casual for very formal situations
Similar Patterns
- 不过是...罢了 - nothing more than (more literary)
- 只是...而已 - just/merely (neutral tone)
- 就是...嘛 - it's just... (very casual)
Summary
不就...吗 is a versatile rhetorical pattern that:
- Minimizes the importance of things
- Simplifies complex situations
- Reassures worried people
- Points out obvious facts
The tone depends heavily on context and delivery, ranging from kind and supportive to dismissive and condescending.
Master Chinese Rhetorical Patterns
Practice 不就...吗 and other persuasive patterns with authentic Chinese conversations and comics.
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