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.
Tomorrow is a holiday, isn't it?
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.
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.
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.
Is this alright?
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.
Softening a statement or making it less direct, similar to '..., you know?' or '..., isn't it?'
Sentence-final particle ね adds a softening, friendly tone. Not always a question, but can invite agreement.
It's hot today, 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.
Standard polite question marker. Simply 'is it?'. Use after nouns, adjectives, or the polite form of verbs.
Is this a book?
A: I'm moving tomorrow. B: Is that so?
Literally 'Really?'. Very common for expressing surprise or seeking confirmation of surprising news.
A: I won the lottery! B: Really?
Polite version of そうなの？. Can sound skeptical or simply acknowledging.
A: This shop is very popular. B: Is it?
Casual, often masculine version of ね. Used for self-reflection or seeking light agreement.
Nice weather, isn't it?