是非
shì fǒu
The Chinese phrase for "yes or no" is 是非 (shì fǒu).
是非 is a term used to describe a choice between two opposite possibilities or a question that requires a binary answer. However, it is most commonly used in a philosophical or moral sense to refer to the distinction between right and wrong.
How do you pronounce it?
shì fǒu
Did you know?
- In many Chinese dialects, instead of using a phrase like 是非, people actually answer 'yes or no' questions by repeating the specific verb used in the question.
- If you are caught up in 'trouble' or 'drama' in China, you might say you are caught in '是非', which literally translates to 'right and wrong' or 'yes and no'.
- While 是非 means 'yes or no' or 'right and wrong', the word 是非心 refers to a 'judgmental mind' that constantly categorizes everything as either correct or incorrect.
Examples in context
- 他很难分辨是非。Tā hěn nán fēnbiàn shìfēi.It is hard for him to distinguish right from wrong.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are studying for a test together.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，这部分是是非题吗？Yǔ tíng, zhè bù fèn shì shì fēi tí ma?Yuting, is this part a yes or no section?
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，只要选对或错。Shì de, zhǐ yào xuǎn duì huò cuò.Yes, you just choose right or wrong.
- 伟 Wei那这样比较简单。Nà zhè yàng bǐ jiào jiǎn dān.Then this is relatively simple.
- 雨婷 Yuting没错，伟，快点做完吧。Méi cuò, Wěi, kuài diǎn zuò wán ba.True, Wei, let's finish it quickly.
