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Lesson

Verb-not-Verb Questions

1. Explain it simply

Take the verb, add 不 (bù), then repeat the verb to ask 'Do you ___ or not?'. Word order stays the same as a statement.

Use this pattern for common verbs like 去, 会, 喜欢, 看.

2. Show examples

你去不去学校?

Nǐ qù bù qù xuéxiào?

Sandhi:Nǐ qù bu qù xuéxiào?

Are you going to school or not?

Verb + 不 + Verb

他会不会写字?

Tā huì bù huì xiě zì?

Sandhi:Tā huì bu huì xiě zì?

Can he write or not?

Use 会不会 for ability

你喜欢不喜欢米饭?

Nǐ xǐhuan bù xǐhuan mǐfàn?

Sandhi:Nǐ xǐhuan bu xǐhuan mǐfàn?

Do you like rice or not?

Works with 喜欢

3. Share a tip

If repeating the whole verb feels long, you can also answer with 是/不是 or use the particle 吗. But verb-not-verb questions are super common in spoken Chinese, so practice them early.

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