Translation guide
English tag questions like "isn't it?" don't have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you're seeking agreement, confirming information, softening a statement, or expressing surprise. Common strategies include sentence-final particles, the explanatory の, and negative question forms.
Seeking agreement (neutral)
Attach to the plain form of the sentence.
Confirming information (neutral)
Use after the plain form; shows you've just realized or are confirming.
Softening a statement (casual)
Rising intonation; used even by women in casual speech.
You want the listener to agree with your statement or feeling. Like "right?" or "don't you think?"
The most common and neutral way to seek agreement. Attach よね to the plain form of the sentence. Works in both casual and polite speech (〜ですよね).
It's hot today, isn't it?
This movie was interesting, wasn't it?
Tanaka-san is kind, isn't he?
Casual and common, especially among younger speakers. Rising intonation. Despite the negative form, it seeks agreement. Can sound a bit pushy or feminine depending on context.
This is delicious, isn't it?
Casual contraction of でしょう. Used to seek agreement, often with a sense of 'I told you so' or when the speaker is confident. Can sound a bit childish or assertive.
See, I told you so, didn't I?
You've just learned or realized something and want to confirm it, or you're asking for an explanation. Like "so it's...?" or "is that so?"
Polite form used to seek confirmation or explanation. The ん (explanatory の) indicates you're reacting to some context. Casual form is 〜んだ.
You're not really asking a question; you're making a statement softer or expressing an opinion indirectly. Like "it's..., isn't it?" or "I think it's..., you know?"
Polite form of 〜じゃない？. Very common in conversation to soften assertions. Despite the negative form, it's not a real question. Often used when the speaker believes the listener will agree.
You're surprised by something and want confirmation. Like "really?" or "isn't that...?!"
With strong rising intonation, expresses surprise. Often used when you can't believe something.
English tag questions change based on the main verb and subject ('isn't it?', 'don't you?', 'can't we?', etc.). Japanese doesn't have this system. Instead, use sentence-final particles or patterns that match the intended nuance. A literal translation like ではありませんか is overly formal and rarely used in conversation.
Isn't this a pen? (very formal/literary)
あの人、かっこよくない？
That person is cool, don't you think?
これ、やばいでしょ？
This is crazy, right?
So tomorrow is a holiday, is it?
Are you leaving already? (isn't it a bit early?)
Polite form showing you've just understood or confirmed something. Often used when receiving new information. Casual: 〜んだね.
Oh, is that so? (I see, isn't it?)
So this is the famous shrine, isn't it?
Casual, rising intonation. Used to ask for confirmation or explanation. Often used by women and children, but men also use it in informal settings.
Are you really going? (isn't it true?)
What are you doing? (isn't it something?)
This is a bit expensive, isn't it? (don't you think?)
That store has good service, doesn't it?
Polite form used to express probability or seek agreement. Can sound a bit formal or feminine in casual speech. Often used in weather forecasts or news.
It will rain tomorrow, won't it?
This should be fine, don't you think?
Casual, often used when thinking aloud or softening a statement. Not a direct tag question, but can serve a similar function of inviting agreement or expressing uncertainty.
I wonder if this is okay. (This is fine, isn't it?)
What? No way! That's unbelievable, isn't it?
Casual, rising intonation. Expresses surprise or curiosity.
It's already finished? (isn't it too soon?)
Sometimes just adding ね to the end of a statement is enough to soften it and invite agreement, without a full tag question. This is very common and natural.
Nice weather, isn't it?