Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 2: 3/12

Isn't it?, Right? (sentence ending particle)

Structure
Sentence +
Details
Part of Speech Particle
Word Type Sentence Ending Particle
Register Standard
品詞 助詞
単語の種類 終助詞
使用域 一般
Information
is classified as a 終助詞(しゅうじょし) (sentence ending particle) in Japanese. It may also be pronounced as ねえ. is used when the speaker is looking for agreement from someone, or wants confirmation about something. Due to this, it is often translated as ‘right?’, or ‘isn’t it?’. To use , simply add it to the end of almost any sentence.
  • 仕事(しごと)疲(つか)れる
    Work is tiring, isn't it?
  • 今日(きょう)暑(あつ)
    It's hot today too, isn't it?
  • あれ綺麗(きれい)
    That is pretty, isn't it?
  • 今日(きょう)寒(さむ)です
    It's cold today, isn't it?
As we will cover in our lesson about the sentence ending particle , can almost be thought of as the opposite. is used when expressing a shared opinion, a shared thought, or generally something you think will be agreed with by the listener. However, な focuses almost exclusively on the speaker, and their own thoughts.
  • これ辛(から)
    This is spicy, don't you think? (You and your friend are at a curry restaurant. After taking your first mouthful, you turn to your friend and say this, because you think they would agree)
  • これ辛(から)
    This is spicy, yeah? (You and your friend are at a curry restaurant. After taking your first mouthful, you notice that it is spicier than usual. You turn to your friend and say this, because you want them to know that you feel this way)
Fun Fact
and are very frequently combined together to make the sentence ender . This is used purely when you expect the listener will agree with you.
  • 松下さんかわい
    Matsushita-san is cute, isn't she?
Caution
is much weaker than でしょう or だろう, and is sometimes said purely out of habit, without much nuance of ‘right’ at all.
Slow Male
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いいです
That’s good right?
Play  
美味(おい)しい
It’s delicious, isn’t it?
Play  
!?
Right!?
Play  
Books
みんなの日本語 I
Page 32 [CH 4]
Genki I
Page 38
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 66
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 286
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 79
Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 45