Translation guide
A tag question used to seek agreement or confirmation. In Japanese, this is most naturally expressed with sentence-ending particles like ね or よね, or with the phrase じゃない？ in casual speech. The choice depends on the level of certainty and the relationship between speakers.
The speaker states an opinion or observation and expects the listener to agree. The tone is friendly and collaborative.
Attach ね to the end of a statement to soften it and invite agreement. Very common in everyday conversation.
今日は暑いね。
It's hot today, don't you think?
この映画、面白いね。
This movie is interesting, don't you think?
Combines よ (assertion) and ね (agreement). Used when you are fairly sure but want confirmation. Slightly more emphatic than ね alone.
あのレストラン、美味しいよね。
That restaurant is delicious, don't you think?
Casual tag question literally meaning 'isn't it?'. Used among friends. Rising intonation. Can sound blunt if overused.
これ、ちょっと変じゃない？
This is a bit weird, don't you think?
The speaker wants to verify that the listener shares the same knowledge or has understood correctly.
Polite form used to seek confirmation. Rising intonation. Common in polite conversation. The plain form 〜だろう？ is used among close male friends but can sound rough.
明日は休みでしょう？
Tomorrow is a holiday, don't you think? / isn't it?
田中さんも来るでしょう？
Tanaka-san is coming too, don't you think?
Polite version of じゃない？. Used in formal or semi-formal settings to soften assertions.
この計画、少し無理じゃないですか？
This plan is a bit unreasonable, don't you think?
The speaker is not really asking a question but is emphasizing a point or trying to persuade the listener.
Plain form often used in rhetorical questions, especially by male speakers. Can express strong conviction or criticism. Not a genuine question.
だから言ったじゃないか。
I told you so, didn't I? (don't you think I was right?)
Formal written or oratorical style. Often used in speeches or essays to make a strong point.
これは大きな問題ではないか。
This is a big problem, don't you think?
ね is the most neutral and friendly way to seek agreement. よね adds a nuance of 'I'm pretty sure, but let me confirm.' じゃない？ is more direct and casual, often used when the speaker suspects the listener might disagree or hasn't noticed something.
このケーキ、美味しいね。
This cake is good, isn't it? (friendly agreement)
このケーキ、美味しいよね。
This cake is good, right? (I think so, confirm for me)
このケーキ、美味しくない？
Isn't this cake good? (maybe you haven't tried it yet, or I'm surprised you don't think so)
Do not translate 'don't you think?' literally as あなたは思いませんか？. This sounds unnatural and overly formal. Use the sentence-ending patterns above instead.