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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ではないか

    〜ではないか

    〜ではないか

    You use this to say something is true. You might be a little surprised by it. It is like saying, "Isn't it?"

    N3KMT5FormalStandardCopulaMixedOlder SpeakersRough Copula And ConfirmationGrammar

    Noun + ではないかPrimary
    な-Adjective + ではないか

    You use this to say something is true. You might be a little surprised by it. It is like saying, "Isn't it?"

    これこそが、我われ々われが探さがし求もとめていた答こたえではないか。

    This is the very answer we have been searching for, is it not?!

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticScience & MathReligion & Philosophy
    あの時ときの彼かれの言こと葉ばは、実じつは重じゅう要ようなヒントであったではないか。

    His words at that time were actually a crucial hint, weren't they?

    FormalPastAffirmativeSentence EndingEvidentialEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships
    見みたまえ、この庭てい園えんはなんと見み事ごとではないか。

    Look! Isn't this garden magnificent?

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeArt & DesignNature & Environment
    それは公こう平へいな判はん断だんとは言いえないではないか。

    That can't be called a fair judgment, can it?!

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingEmphaticPolitics & Law
    彼かれは無む実じつだと主しゅ張ちょうするが、現げん場ばに指し紋もんが残のこっていたではないか、と検けん察さつ官かんは反はん論ろんした。

    He insists he is innocent, but his fingerprints were left at the scene, weren't they?, the prosecutor retorted.

    FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativePolitics & Law

    How you say it changes the meaning. A falling voice means you are sure. A rising voice asks a question. It is like saying 'right?' at the end of a sentence.

    This is like saying "isn't it?" but in a formal way. It is different from 〜じゃないか. That one is for talking with friends. This one sounds more serious. It is also stronger than 〜だろう. That one just asks for agreement. This one states something more firmly.

    Use this when you want to show something is very clear. It is like saying "Isn't it obvious?" You can use it to share a new idea you just understood.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜じゃないか

    You use this when you notice something. It shows you are surprised. It is like saying, 'Oh, look!'

    〜ではありません

    This means 'is not' or 'are not'. You use it to say what something is not. It is a polite way to speak.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜じゃないか

    prerequisite

    • 〜ではありません
    • 〜ものか

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