Translation guide
A guide to expressing the English tag question 'isn't it' in Japanese, covering confirmation, seeking agreement, and rhetorical use.
The speaker believes something is true and wants the listener to confirm it, similar to 'right?' or 'isn't that so?'
Attach ですね to a statement to seek polite confirmation. The ね particle softens the assertion and invites agreement.
今日は暑いですね。
It's hot today, isn't it?
これはあなたの本ですね。
This is your book, isn't it?
でしょう with rising intonation seeks confirmation, often when the speaker is fairly certain. Slightly more formal than ですね.
明日は雨でしょう？
It'll rain tomorrow, won't it?
Used as a response meaning 'That's right, isn't it?' or to agree. Can also be used to seek confirmation when repeating back.
A: この映画、面白いですね。 B: そうですね。
A: This movie is interesting, isn't it? B: Yes, it is.
The speaker wants the listener to agree with their statement, similar to 'right?' or 'yeah?' among friends.
The casual version of 〜ですね. Attach ね directly to the plain form of a verb or adjective.
このラーメン、おいしいね。
This ramen is delicious, isn't it?
明日、休みだね。
Tomorrow's a holiday, isn't it?
A very casual, often regional (especially Kanto) way to seek agreement, similar to 'right?' or 'isn't it?'. Used among close friends.
それ、いいじゃん。
That's good, isn't it?
Combines the casual copula だ with よね to strongly seek agreement. Often used when the speaker is confident.
これ、変だよね。
This is weird, isn't it?
The speaker uses 'isn't it?' to emphasize a personal opinion or feeling, not necessarily expecting an answer.
A polite pattern that literally means 'isn't it?', but often used rhetorically to assert an opinion. Despite the negative form, it affirms the statement.
このデザイン、素敵じゃないですか。
This design is lovely, isn't it?
The casual version of じゃないですか. Used to assert an opinion among friends.
これ、ちょっと高くない？
This is a bit expensive, isn't it?
A very formal, written pattern used to present an opinion humbly. Often used in business or academic contexts.
この問題はもっと議論が必要なのではないでしょうか。
This issue needs more discussion, doesn't it?
When the main statement is negative, English often uses 'is it?' instead of 'isn't it?'. Japanese handles this differently.
After a negative statement, simply add ね to seek confirmation. The negative is already in the verb, so no extra negation is needed.
Polite way to seek confirmation of a negative statement.
彼は知らないでしょう？
He doesn't know, does he?
English tag questions change based on the main verb and polarity (isn't it? / aren't you? / didn't they?). Japanese uses sentence-final particles like ね or でしょう regardless of the subject or tense. Avoid directly translating the pronoun and verb.
あなたは学生ですね。
You're a student, aren't you?
彼は来ましたね。
He came, didn't he?
ね seeks agreement or confirmation, assuming shared knowledge. よ provides new information or emphasizes a point. Using よ when you should use ね can sound pushy.
このケーキ、おいしいね。（相手も同意すると想定）
This cake is delicious, isn't it? (assuming the listener agrees)
このケーキ、おいしいよ。（相手が知らないかもしれない情報を伝える）
This cake is delicious! (telling the listener something they might not know)