是不是 asks for confirmation, similar to "Is it that...?" or "...right?" in English.
Seeking confirmation - Is what I think correct?
Forming questions - Turning statements into questions
Tag question - ...right? ...is it?
Are you Chinese?
Position is flexible: beginning (是不是你...), middle (你是不是...), or end (...是不是？).
Position affects nuance
- Beginning: neutral question
- Middle: standard confirmation
- End: tag question (seeking agreement)
Different from 吗
- 是不是 seeks confirmation of assumption
- 吗 is a general question marker
Can be shortened to 是吧 as a tag
Are you Chinese?
Is it that you do not want to go?
He already left, right?
Are you tired?
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