
GRAMMAR
〜んじゃない?
isn't it? (casual)
Explanation
NOTE
〜んじゃない? is the casual equivalent of 〜のではないか. With rising intonation it expresses conjecture — "isn't it?" or "don't you think?".
彼女、怒ってるんじゃない?
Isn't she angry?
This grammar is used to soften an opinion or ask for confirmation by turning a statement into a suggestion.
NOTE
With falling intonation, it can be a mild reproach — "you shouldn't" or "that's not right". Context and intonation determine the meaning.
STRUCTURE
V普
んじゃない?彼、もう来ないんじゃない?
Kare, mou konai n ja nai?
He's not going to come anymore, is he?
それ、難しいんじゃない?
Sore, muzukashii n ja nai?
Isn't that difficult?
彼女はもう知ってるんじゃない?
Kanojo wa mou shitteru n ja nai?
Doesn't she already know?
Practice exercises
1
この料理、ちょっと辛い難じゃない?
This dish, isn't it a bit spicy?
Answer
難じゃない
2
明日、雨が降る人じゃない?
Tomorrow, it is going to rain, isn't it?
Answer
人じゃない
3
彼女、怒ってるんじゃない?あの顔を見て。
Isn't she angry? Look at that face.
Answer
んじゃない
4
彼女はもう知ってるんじゃない?みんなに話したから。
Doesn't she already know? Everyone was told.
Answer
んじゃない
5
それ、難しすぎるんじゃない?専門家でも解けないよ。
Isn't that too difficult? Even experts can't solve it.
Answer
んじゃない
6
田中さんはもう帰ったんじゃない?
Isn't it that Tanaka-san has already gone home?
Answer
んじゃない
7
雨が降るんじゃない?傘を持って行こう。
Isn't it going to rain? Let's bring an umbrella.
Answer
んじゃない
8
その本は図書館にあるんじゃない?
Isn't that book at the library?
Answer
んじゃない