Structure Legend
Structure
Phrase + じゃない + か
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一般
About じゃないか
When learning じゃない and ではない, we briefly mentioned that these constructions are regularly partnered with the particle か, in order to form a (usually casual) question. In this lesson, we will further explore this usage.
Unlike じゃない and ではない (which need to come after a noun or な-Adjective), じゃないか is able to to be attached to the end of almost any phrase, to indicate a question. This is very similar to finishing a sentence with 'isn't it?' in English.
Unlike じゃない and ではない (which need to come after a noun or な-Adjective), じゃないか is able to to be attached to the end of almost any phrase, to indicate a question. This is very similar to finishing a sentence with 'isn't it?' in English.
- キヨコはもうすぐ来るんじゃないか。Isn't Kiyoko coming soon?
- そのカメラは高いじゃないか。That camera is expensive, isn't it?
- この着物は綺麗じゃないか。This kimono is beautiful, isn't it?
- あなたの車は私の車より速いじゃないか。Your car is faster than my car, isn't it?
- これは台風の影響ではないか。This is the typhoon's effect, isn't it?
- 遊んでないで明日のテストの勉強をした方がいいんではないか。Without mucking around, wouldn't it be better if you studied for the test tomorrow?
Synonyms
でしょう
Right?, Probably, Isn't it?
Not studied yet
だろう
Right?, Probably, Isn't it?
Not studied yet
じゃない
Is not, Isn't
Not studied yet
ね
Isn't it?, Right? (Sentence ending particle)
Not studied yet
のではないだろうか
I think ... isn't it?, It might be that..., Don't you agree?
Not studied yet
かもしれない
Might, Maybe, Probably
Not studied yet
~のだろうか
I wonder...
Not studied yet
Examples
待ち合わせに来るのが早いじゃないか。
You came a little early for the meeting, didn't you?
あなたのお母さんは九時までに帰ってきてと言っていたじゃないですか。
Didn't your mom tell you to be home by nine?
この橋を渡るのが怖いんじゃないか?
It is scary crossing this bridge, isn't it?
そのことじゃなかったか。
It was about that, wasn't it?
もう終わるじゃないか。
It will finish already, won't it?
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Usage of ~じゃん (~じゃない)
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じゃない & じゃん NOT ONLY NEGATION!
Japanese Ammo with Misa [Youtube]
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じゃないか – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (11 in total)
nekoyama
About 4 months ago
I think it’s pretty similar to he’s/he is. It’s just that how important that distinction is depends on the situation. In a normal spoken conversation, using the standard contractions is normal and expected but so is the appropriate level of politeness and respect and so on. Being slightly more formal every once in a while is not a big deal. On the other hand, in a scientific paper or in a wikipedia article, no politeness or respect are expected but a formal written style absolutely is. Slipping into casual speech can well look completely out of place.
simias
About 4 months ago
Makes sense, thank you for the help as always!
Siesta
About 1 month ago
It’s super confusing that de wa nai ka is the polite example, but it’s not accepted as a correct answer. They only except desu.
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