是否 shìfǒu whether (or not)
whether (or not); if
How to remember 是否: 是 is + 否 no = whether (or not).
Characters
How it is used
- Written/formal 'whether or not' - 请确认是否收到 (qǐng quèrèn shìfǒu shōudào) please confirm whether you received it.
- Equivalent to a spoken 是不是 or 有没有, but more compact and bookish; common in forms, notices, and reports.
- Introduces an embedded yes/no question; the sentence usually doesn't add 吗 as well.
Example sentences
- 他问我是否很忙？ Tā wèn wǒ shìfǒu hěn máng?He asked me if I was busy.
- 你是否喜欢这些花？ Nǐ shìfǒu xǐhuan zhèxiē huā?Do you like these flowers?
- 我不在乎是否下雪。 Wǒ búzàihū shìfǒu xiàxuě.I don't care if it snows.
- 两岸是否会统一呢？ Liǎng'Àn shìfǒu huì tǒngyī ne?Will the mainland and Taiwan be reunified?