Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 4: 10/18

じゃないか
isn't it?, is it not?

Structure
Phrase + じゃない +
Details
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Information
When learning じゃない and ではない, we briefly mentioned that these constructions are regularly partnered with the particle , 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.
  • キヨコもうすぐ来(く)るじゃないか
    Isn't Kiyoko coming soon?
  • そのカメラ高(たか)じゃないか
    That camera is expensive, isn't it?
  • この着物(きもの)綺麗(きれい)じゃないか
    This kimono is beautiful, isn't it?
  • あなた車(くるま)私(わたし)車(くるま)より速(はや)じゃないか
    Your car is faster than my car, isn't it?
When じゃないか is too casual, ではないか will be used instead. Despite being more formal, this may sound a bit stiff at times, so is best only used when politeness is expected.
  • これ台風(たいふう)影響(えいきょう)ではないか
    This is the typhoon’s effect, isn't it?
  • 遊(あそ)んでないで明日(あした)テスト勉強(べんきょう)た方(ほう)がいいではないか
    Without mucking around, wouldn't it be better if you studied for the test tomorrow?
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待(ま)ち合(あ)わせ来(く)る早(はや)いじゃないか
You came a little early for the meeting, didn't you?
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あなたお母(かあ)さん九時(くじ)までに帰(かえ)ってきて言(い)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(はし)渡(わた)る怖(こわ)いんじゃないか
It is scary crossing this bridge, isn't it?
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