Translation guide
In Japanese, tag questions like 'is it?' are usually expressed with sentence-final particles, rising intonation, or specific grammatical patterns. The choice depends on whether you're seeking confirmation, expressing surprise, or softening a statement.
You think something is true and want the listener to confirm it, similar to '..., right?' or '..., isn't it?'
Attach よね to the end of a plain-form statement. It assumes shared knowledge and seeks agreement. Very common in casual conversation.
明日は休みだよね。
Tomorrow is a holiday, isn't it?
この映画、面白いよね。
This movie is interesting, isn't it?
Polite form of よね. Use with です/ます or plain form. Rising intonation makes it a question. Slightly more formal.
明日は休みでしょう？
Tomorrow is a holiday, isn't it?
Casual negative question used for confirmation. Literally 'isn't it?', but functions like 'right?'. Can sound blunt or feminine depending on intonation.
これ、美味しいじゃない？
This is delicious, isn't it?
Politely asking for confirmation in formal situations.
Polite way to ask 'is it?'. Often used in business or with strangers. Can be attached to nouns or adjectives.
こちらでよろしいでしょうか？
Is this alright?
Standard polite question marker. Simply 'is it?'. Use after nouns, adjectives, or the polite form of verbs.
これは本ですか？
Is this a book?
You've just learned something and react with 'Is it?' or 'Really?'
Casual expression meaning 'Is that so?' or 'Really?'. Used when hearing new information.
A: 明日引っ越すんだ。B: そうなの？
A: I'm moving tomorrow. B: Is that so?
Literally 'Really?'. Very common for expressing surprise or seeking confirmation of surprising news.
A: 宝くじが当たった！B: 本当？
A: I won the lottery! B: Really?
Polite version of そうなの？. Can sound skeptical or simply acknowledging.
A: この店、とても人気なんです。B: そうですか？
A: This shop is very popular. B: Is it?
Softening a statement or making it less direct, similar to '..., you know?' or '..., isn't it?'
Do not directly translate 'is it?' as a standalone phrase like それはですか？. Japanese uses sentence-final particles or specific patterns instead of a separate tag question.
よね is casual and assumes shared knowledge. でしょう is polite and can be used when the speaker is less certain or wants to sound more formal. In casual speech, でしょう can sound feminine or emphatic.