CGG #96: Whether or Not
💎 Chinese Grammar Gems #96
Some weeks here feel exciting, full of new things to notice and explore. Some weeks just feel hard.
This was one of the hard ones. Work wore me down, so this weekend I did nothing. I just rested, recharged, let myself stop.
And you know what? That’s completely okay.
Not every week has to be productive or interesting. Sometimes you just need to pause and catch your breath.
That’s actually how you make progress, by knowing when to push and when to rest. Rest is what lets you keep showing up, week after week.
Today’s lesson is about expressing “whether or not” in Mandarin. It’s a practical, everyday pattern. Just another small step forward.
Let’s dive in…
💎 This Week’s Gem: Whether or Not 💎
Mandarin doesn’t have a single universal word for “whether or not.” Instead, it relies on structural patterns that present both possibilities at once. These patterns are fundamental to expressing uncertainty, asking embedded questions, or discussing alternatives.
🌱 The Foundation: Verb-不-Verb Pattern
The basic way to express “whether or not” in Mandarin is the Verb-不-Verb structure. This pattern literally presents both possibilities by pairing the verb with its negative form: verb + 不 (bù) + verb. Think of it as asking “to do or not to do” in one phrase.
This structure is the everyday workhorse for “whether” questions. You don’t need a separate word for “whether,” simply repeat the verb or adjective with 不 between them. No 吗 (ma) is used in this structure, and critically, you don’t use 如果 (rúguǒ, “if”) here. 如果 introduces conditional situations, not uncertain yes/no questions.
For two-syllable verbs or adjectives, you can use either the full form or shorten it by repeating only the first syllable before 不. For example, 喜欢 (xǐhuān, “to like”) can become either 喜欢不喜欢 or 喜不喜欢. Both mean “like or not like,” with the shorter form sounding a bit snappier.
This pattern is neutral to informal in tone and works perfectly in daily conversations and embedded questions.
📚 Structure: [Subject +] Verb + 不 + Verb (+ [Object/Complement])
Example
我不在乎她喜不喜欢。
我 / 不 / 在乎 / 她 / 喜 / 不 / 喜欢 / 。
Wǒ bù zàihu tā xǐ bù xǐhuān.
I don’t care whether she likes it or not.
I / not / care / she / like / not / like
Notice there’s no 吗 or 如果 here. Chinese conveys “whether or not” purely through the 喜不喜欢 structure.
🔄 Common Verb Variations
The following all follow the same Verb-不-Verb logic, but each verb has specific contexts and nuances worth understanding.
是不是: “Is or Isn’t”
是不是 (shì bu shì) is the Verb-不-Verb pattern for 是 (shì, “to be”). This structure is extremely common for checking facts, confirming assumptions, or embedding yes/no questions about states, identities, or conditions. It can precede adjectives and noun phrases.
Use 是不是 when you want to verify whether something is true or not. The tone is neutral and friendly, making it suitable for both spoken Chinese and informal writing.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 是不是 + [Predicate]
Example
他问我是不是老师。
他 / 问 / 我 / 是 / 不 / 是 / 老师 / 。
Tā wèn wǒ shì bu shì lǎoshī.
He asked me whether I am a teacher.
he / ask / me / is / not / is / teacher
有没有: “Have or Not Have”
有没有 (yǒu méiyǒu) is a special case because 有 (“to have”) is negated with 没 instead of 不. You must use 有没有, never 有不有.
Use this structure for possessions, existence, and past actions (similar to asking “did or didn’t”). It’s very common in both questions and indirect clauses, with a neutral tone.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 有没有 + [Object/Verb Phrase]
Example (possession)
我不知道他有没有女朋友。
我 / 不 / 知道 / 他 / 有 / 没 / 有 / 女朋友 / 。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā yǒu méiyǒu nǚpéngyou.
I don’t know whether he has a girlfriend (or not).
I / not / know / he / have / not have / girlfriend
Example (past action)
我不知道他有没有来。
我 / 不 / 知道 / 他 / 有 / 没 / 有 / 来 / 。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā yǒu méiyǒu lái.
I don’t know whether he came (or not).
I / not / know / he / have / not have / come
要不要: “To Do or Not To Do”
要不要 (yào bu yào) literally means “want or not want” or “should or shouldn’t,” but functions as “whether or not to do something.” Despite the literal meaning, this structure is used for decisions, offers, and choices rather than just expressing desire. It’s very colloquial and widely used in everyday speech.
该不该 (gāi bu gāi) works similarly but only means “should or shouldn’t.” Use 该不该 when weighing what’s advisable or morally right, while 要不要 is more neutral about simply doing or not doing something. 该不该 leans slightly more formal than 要不要.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 要不要 + [Verb] (+ [Object])
Example
她在考虑要不要换工作。
她 / 在 / 考虑 / 要 / 不 / 要 / 换 / 工作 / 。
Tā zài kǎolǜ yào bu yào huàn gōngzuò.
She’s considering whether or not to change jobs.
she / (ongoing) / consider / want / not / want / change / job
For a similar sentence emphasizing “should,” you might say 考虑该不该换工作 with the same meaning.
能不能: “Can or Can’t”
能不能 (néng bu néng) expresses uncertainty about ability or possibility. Use this when you’re unsure whether someone can do something, whether something is physically possible, or whether permission exists. We explored the difference between 能 and 可以 in detail in CGG #8.
可不可以 (kě bu kěyǐ) is very similar but more explicitly about permission and politeness. Use 可不可以 when making polite requests or asking for permission. Both are neutral in tone, with 可不可以 carrying a respectful nuance.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 能不能 + [Verb Phrase]
Example
我不确定我能不能通过考试。
我 / 不 / 确定 / 我 / 能 / 不 / 能 / 通过 / 考试 / 。
Wǒ bù quèdìng wǒ néng bu néng tōngguò kǎoshì.
I’m not sure whether I can pass the exam.
I / not / sure / I / can / not / can / pass / exam
For asking permission politely, you might say 我可不可以请假 (“May I take leave?”).
会不会: “Will or Won’t”
会不会 (huì bu huì) is used for future events, likelihood, and probability. 会 in this context means “will” or “be likely to,” so 会不会 asks “will it or won’t it” happen. We covered the various uses of 会 in CGG #7.
This structure often carries a nuance of speculation or concern about future outcomes. It can also soften questions or suggestions, similar to “Could it be that...” or “I wonder if...” in English.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 会不会 + [Verb Phrase]
Example
我在想明天会不会下雨。
我 / 在 / 想 / 明天 / 会 / 不 / 会 / 下雨 / 。
Wǒ zài xiǎng míngtiān huì bu huì xiàyǔ.
I’m wondering whether it will rain tomorrow.
I / (ongoing action marker) / wonder / tomorrow / will / not / will / rain
🔀 A Related Pattern: Using 还是 Alone
Before we move to formal structures, there’s one more everyday pattern worth knowing. You can also use 还是 (háishì) by itself to present alternatives, similar to “whether... or...” in English. This is different from the Verb-不-Verb pattern because you’re explicitly stating both options rather than using the negative form.
This pattern works well when the two alternatives aren’t simply opposites (like “do or not do”), but different possibilities you’re choosing between or wondering about. For example, you might wonder whether something is A or B, where A and B are distinct alternatives rather than just affirmative and negative.
📚 Structure: [Question word/uncertainty] + [Option A] + 还是 + [Option B]
Example
我不知道这是真的还是只是一个故事。
我 / 不 / 知道 / 这 / 是 / 真的 / 还是 / 只是 / 一个 / 故事 / 。
Wǒ bù zhīdào zhè shì zhēn de háishì zhǐshì yí ge gùshi.
I don’t know whether this is true or just a story.
I / not / know / this / is / true / or / only / one / story
This sentence comes from last week’s PMC Easy #95, part of my PM Comprehension worksheet series. These worksheets help you practice reading real Mandarin while building vocabulary, perfect for reinforcing the grammar patterns you learn in CGG lessons!
🔍 Need to review a pattern?
Head to chinesegrammargems.com. Every lesson we’ve covered is searchable, organized by topic, and available as a PDF.
📝 Formal “Whether”: 是否
Moving to more formal territory, 是否 (shìfǒu) is a polished way to say “whether (or not).” It’s composed of 是 (“is”) and 否 (“(formal) not”), effectively meaning “whether it is so or not.”
是否 appears frequently in written Chinese (newspapers, formal documents, business correspondence, academic writing) and in polite or formal speech. Using 是否 makes your sentence sound more serious and professional compared to the casual Verb-不-Verb structures.
是否 goes before the verb or adjective and implies “or not” without explicitly stating it, making it concise and elegant. You can use 是否 to replace most Verb-不-Verb structures when you want a more formal tone.
📚 Structure: [Subject +] 是否 + [Verb Phrase/Adjective Phrase]
Example
他在考虑是否参加这个活动。
他 / 在 / 考虑 / 是否 / 参加 / 这个 / 活动 / 。
Tā zài kǎolǜ shìfǒu cānjiā zhège huódòng.
He is considering whether to participate in this event.
he / (ongoing action marker) / consider / whether or not / participate / this / event
In casual speech, someone would more likely say 考虑要不要参加, but 是否 gives the sentence a polished, formal quality suitable for professional contexts.
📖 Literary “Or Not”: 与否
与否 (yǔfǒu) is another formal way to express “or not,” but with one key difference: it comes after the verb or adjective phrase. While 是否 goes before (我不知道是否参加), 与否 comes after (我不知道参加与否). Both sentences mean “I don’t know whether to participate,” but 与否 is even more literary and formal.
Think of 与否 as creating a complete package. When you say 成功与否 (“success or not”), you’re treating “whether or not successful” as a single unit that can be the subject or object of your sentence. It’s like wrapping up a question into a neat noun-like phrase.
This structure appears mainly in written Chinese (formal reports, news articles, academic papers). You’ll often see it in set combinations like 成功与否 (chénggōng yǔfǒu, “whether successful or not”), 满意与否 (mǎnyì yǔfǒu, “whether satisfied or not”), 可行与否 (kěxíng yǔfǒu, “whether feasible or not”), and 愿意与否 (yuànyì yǔfǒu, “whether willing or not”).
In everyday conversation, people stick with patterns like 要不要 or 会不会. 与否 would sound overly formal and out of place in casual speech. Save it for situations where you’re writing formally or want to sound particularly scholarly.
📚 Structure: [Clause] + 与否
Example
他愿意与否对我们来说很重要。
他 / 愿意 / 与否 / 对 / 我们 / 来说 / 很 / 重要 / 。
Tā yuànyì yǔfǒu duì wǒmen lái shuō hěn zhòngyào.
Whether or not he is willing is very important to us.
he / willing / or not / to / us / (speaking of) / very / important
Here, 他愿意与否 (“his willingness or not”) acts as the subject of the sentence: it’s what the rest of the sentence is discussing.
Another example
成功与否，全靠自己。
成功 / 与否 / ，/ 全 / 靠 / 自己 / 。
Chénggōng yǔfǒu, quán kào zìjǐ.
Whether you succeed or not depends entirely on yourself.
success / or not / entirely / depend on / oneself
Notice how 成功与否 creates a complete concept (“success or not”) that becomes the topic of discussion.
🌦 “No Matter Whether”: 不管/无论
So far we’ve focused on expressing uncertain possibilities. But sometimes you want to say “no matter whether X or not, Y will happen,” meaning the outcome stays the same regardless. For this, Mandarin uses 不管 (bùguǎn) and 无论(wúlùn), both meaning “no matter (what/whether).”
不管 is more colloquial and common in everyday speech, while 无论 is slightly more formal. They function in almost the same way, introducing two alternative conditions and then stating a result that holds true in either case. We covered these patterns in detail in CGG #25 and CGG #26.
After 不管 or 无论, you present the two possibilities, either using 还是 (háishì, “or”) to link them explicitly, or using a Verb-不-Verb structure. The second part of the sentence typically includes 都 (dōu) or 也 (yě) to emphasize “in either case, the result is the same.”
These structures are perfect for making determined statements or emphasizing that a condition doesn’t affect the outcome. 不管 adds a tone of resolve in everyday speech, while 无论 often appears in writing or set phrases like 无论如何 (”no matter what”).
📚 Structure 1: 不管 / 无论 + [Option A] + 还是 + [Option B] + ，+ [Result clause] (+ 都/也 …)
📚 Structure 2: 不管 / 无论 + [Verb/Adj] + 不 + [Verb/Adj] + ，+ [Result clause] (+ 都/也 …)
Example
不管明天下不下雨，我们都要去野餐。
不管 / 明天 / 下 / 不 / 下雨 / ，/ 我们 / 都 / 要 / 去 / 野餐 / 。
Bùguǎn míngtiān xià bù xiàyǔ, wǒmen dōu yào qù yěcān.
No matter whether it rains tomorrow or not, we will go for a picnic.
no matter / tomorrow / rain / not / rain / we / all (no exception) / will / go / picnic
Here 不管 introduces two scenarios (“rains or not rains”, expressed as 下不下雨) and 都 indicates our plan remains unchanged in either case. You could also say 无论明天下不下雨，我们都要去野餐 with the same meaning.
Curious about your Mandarin mastery?
How many words, characters, or chengyu can you recognize?
📝 Recap
Using Verb-不-Verb Pattern: The fundamental way to express “whether or not” in Mandarin by literally presenting both possibilities: pairing a verb with its negative form. This everyday structure works for embedded questions and uncertain yes/no scenarios without needing 吗 or 如果. For two-syllable verbs, you can use the full form or shorten by repeating only the first syllable before 不.
Using 是不是 (shì bu shì): The Verb-不-Verb pattern for 是, extremely common for checking facts, confirming assumptions, or embedding yes/no questions about states, identities, or conditions. It’s neutral and friendly, suitable for both spoken Chinese and informal writing.
Using 有没有 (yǒu méiyǒu): A special case because 有 is negated with 没 instead of 不, so you must use 有没有, never 有不有. Perfect for questions about possessions, existence, and past actions, with a neutral tone in both questions and indirect clauses.
Using 要不要 (yào bu yào): Literally “want or not want” but functions as “whether or not to do something” for decisions, offers, and choices. Very colloquial and widely used in everyday speech. 该不该 works similarly but means “should or shouldn’t” and leans slightly more formal, used when weighing what’s advisable.
Using 能不能 (néng bu néng): Expresses uncertainty about ability or possibility, used when you’re unsure whether someone can do something or whether something is physically possible. 可不可以 is similar but more explicitly about permission and politeness, carrying a respectful nuance.
Using 会不会 (huì bu huì): Used for future events, likelihood, and probability, asking “will it or won’t it” happen. Often carries a nuance of speculation or concern about future outcomes and can soften questions or suggestions.
Using 还是 (háishì) alone: Presents alternatives similar to “whether... or...” in English by explicitly stating both options rather than using the negative form. Works well when the two alternatives are distinct possibilities rather than simple opposites like “do or not do.”
Using 是否 (shìfǒu): A polished, formal way to say “whether (or not).” It appears before the verb or adjective and implies “or not” without explicitly stating it, making sentences sound more serious and professional. Common in written Chinese, formal documents, and polite speech.
Using 与否 (yǔfǒu): A literary and formal way to express “or not” that comes after the verb or adjective phrase, treating “whether or not” as a complete noun-like unit. Often appears in set combinations like 成功与否 or 满意与否. Mainly used in written Chinese and would sound overly formal in casual conversation.
Using 不管/无论 (bùguǎn/wúlùn): Both mean “no matter (what/whether)” to express that an outcome stays the same regardless of conditions. 不管 is more colloquial for everyday speech, while 无论 is slightly more formal. Typically paired with 都 or 也 to emphasize “in either case, the result is the same.”
⛏️ Practice Makes Perfect
Mastering these structures will help you sound more natural when expressing uncertainty, asking questions, and presenting choices in Mandarin. The key is understanding when to use each pattern based on the context: Are you asking a question? Making a statement? Being formal or casual? Try translating these sentences and pay attention to which structure fits the situation best.
🌱 Easy
I want to know whether he’s coming.
I forgot whether I closed the door.
No matter whether you go or not, I’ll go.
Dad wants to know whether we’re eating at home or going out.
🌳 Advanced
Passengers are inquiring whether the flight will be delayed.
Historians are still verifying whether this legend has a factual basis.
Whether satisfied or not, we welcome your valuable feedback.
Philosophers have long pondered whether humans possess free will or are bound by destiny.
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That’s a wrap for today!
This weekend, look out for your PM Translation and PM Comprehension worksheets. They’ll give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and keep improving your Mandarin skills.
Happy learning,
Pierre 🐼