A1 · Grammar reference · ASGZH7K3
Affirmative-negative question A common way to form questions in Chinese is to first use a verb in the positive, then repeat the same verb in its negative form, similar to how in English we can say, "Do you have money or not?" or "Have you or have you not been to the park?" This sentence pattern feels a lot more natural in Chinese than those admittedly awkward English equivalents, however.
Structure
Verb + 不 + Verb
Subj. + Verb + 不 + Verb + Obj.
Adj. + 不 + Adj.
[First Character of Verb] + 不 + Verb
[First Character of Adj.] + 不 + Adj.
Subj. + 有 没有 + Obj.
Keywords 不 · 没 · 没有
Used for Asking questions · Giving alternatives
Classification HSK2 Examples (29) Add all sentences to My sentences Is it (or not)? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Are they going to come or not? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Do you or do you not miss me? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. We are going to the bar. Do you want to go? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. I'm going to buy coffee. Do you want some? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Are you coming back home or not? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Does she eat fish? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Do you want rice? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Does your dad drink alcohol or not? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is the boss coming to the office today? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is it good? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is it hot? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is he handsome? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is the coffee expensive here? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is Chinese food spicy? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Do you like it? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Do you like it? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Are you happy? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Are you happy? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is his girlfriend pretty? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is his girlfriend pretty? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is Chinese food good? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is Chinese food good? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is that place fun? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Is that place fun? Uses an affirmative-negative pair to ask a neutral yes-or-no question. Does your older brother have a girlfriend? Uses 有/没有 to ask neutrally whether something exists or has happened. Do you have children? Uses 有/没有 to ask neutrally whether something exists or has happened. Has grandma been on a plane? Uses 有/没有 to ask neutrally whether something exists or has happened. Has he been to college? Uses 有/没有 to ask neutrally whether something exists or has happened. Further resources
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