Imagine you want to ask: "Is this book expensive or not?" In English, it's just a simple yes/no question. But in Chinese, there’s a super handy pattern called affirmative-negative interrogative (正反疑问 zhèng fǎn yíwèn). It’s fun, easy, and will make you sound instantly more native!
How does it work?
You repeat the main verb or adjective twice: first in the positive form, then again with 不 (bù) or 没 (méi) for the negative.
Think of it as:
Is it X or is it not X?
Formula:
(subject) + verb/adjective + 不 + verb/adjective?
(subject) + verb + 没 + verb? OR (subject) + verb + 了没有? (for actions/events)
Examples:
TIP: In most daily Chinese, this pattern is more natural than just saying “吗?” every time. Also, it sometimes sounds funny in English—but it’s perfectly normal in Chinese!
(Zhè běn shū guì-bù-guì?)
Is this book expensive or not?
(Diànyǐng hǎokàn-bù-hǎokàn?)
Is the movie good or not?
(Nǐ chī-bù-chī bāozi?)
Are you eating buns or not?
(Tā qù-méi-qù túshūguǎn?)
Did he go to the library or not?
(Tā huíjiā le méi yǒu?)
Did he come home or not?
(Nǐ è le méi yǒu?)
Are you hungry or not?
Can I use it with adjectives? Yes! 贵不贵，好不好，饿不饿...
Can I use it about things that happened? Yes! With 有/没有 or with the verb: 去没去，吃没吃，看没看...
Remember:
Now YOU try! (Don’t worry, Lili and friends will help if you get stuck!)
1. Lili is wondering if the baozi are delicious. She asks: 包子 吃？ (Are the baozi tasty or not?)
2. Jianguo isn’t sure if Haoran did his homework. He asks: 你做 作业？ (Did you do your homework or not?)
3. Xiaotong wants to know if Zhiqiang is tired. She asks: 你累 ？ (Are you tired or not?)
4. Xiulan wants to know if Lili and Xiaotong have eaten. She asks: 你们吃了 ？ (Have you eaten or not?)
5. Haoran is very curious if today’s movie is interesting. He asks: 今天的电影 ？ (Is today’s movie good or not?)
6. Zhiqiang wants to know if Jianguo is coming. He asks: 你来 ？ (Are you coming or not?)