hindi ba?

Isn't It?

Level 2

Use hindi ba? (or the casual 'di ba?) to ask for confirmation, verify shared information, or respond to a statement with 'Isn't that so?'

How It Works

The expression hindi ba? is a versatile conversational tool in Filipino. Its primary role is to seek agreement or verify information.

1. Placement and Meaning

  • At the end: This is the most common position, functioning like a tag question. Example: Malamig dito, hindi ba? (It's cold here, isn't it?)
  • At the beginning: It often acts as a reminder or expresses mild surprise. Example: Hindi ba sinabi ko na sa iyo? (Didn't I already tell you?)
  • Standalone: You can use 'Di ba? as a complete response to mean 'Isn't that so?' or 'I know, right?' when agreeing with someone.

2. Register and Variants

  • Contraction: In everyday conversation, hindi ba is almost always contracted to 'di ba.
  • Formal Variant: In formal or literary contexts, you may encounter hindi ba't (a contraction of hindi ba at), often used to introduce a known fact. Example: Hindi ba't tayo ay Pilipino? (Isn't it that we are Filipinos?)

3. Social Function
Using 'di ba is a way to build rapport (pakikisama) by inviting the listener into a shared reality. It also softens statements that might otherwise sound too blunt.

4. Intonation
This pattern requires a rising intonation to signal that it is a question.

Examples (6)

  1. Pilipino ka, hindi ba?

    You are Filipino, aren't you?

    Word by Word: Filipino you, not question?

    A standard use of the tag at the end of a positive statement to confirm the listener's nationality.

  2. Ang ganda ng pelikula, 'di ba?

    The movie was great, wasn't it?

    Word by Word: The beauty of movie, not question?

    Uses the casual contraction ''di ba' to seek agreement on an opinion.

  3. Hindi ba, magkikita tayo mamaya?

    We're meeting later, right?

    Word by Word: Not question, will-meet we later?

    Placing the tag at the beginning focuses on reminding the listener of a previous plan.

  4. Siya, 'di ba, ang nanalo?

    He/She was the one who won, right?

    Word by Word: He/She, not question, the won?

    Placing the tag in the middle of the sentence highlights the subject and emphasizes a shared understanding between speakers.

  5. Mainit ngayon, 'di ba?

    It's hot today, isn't it?

    Word by Word: Hot today, not question?

    A common conversational bridge used to establish shared experience about the weather.

  6. Kakain na tayo, hindi ba?

    We are going to eat now, right?

    Word by Word: Will-eat now we, not question?

    Seeking confirmation for an upcoming action.

Common Mistakes

  • Reversing the order of the tag.

    Pilipino ka, ba hindi?
    Pilipino ka, hindi ba?

    The tag comes after the statement and always keeps the order 'hindi ba' (or 'di ba'). The words cannot be swapped.

  • Answering 'No' to mean 'I agree' with a negative tag question.

    Q: Hindi ka pa kumakain, 'di ba? A: Hindi.
    Q: Hindi ka pa kumakain, 'di ba? A: Oo, hindi pa.

    In Filipino, oo (yes) confirms the truth of the statement. If the statement is 'You haven't eaten,' saying 'Oo' means 'Yes, it is true that I haven't eaten.'

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

hindi ba?Level 2Isn't It?

Learn This First

To understand 'hindi ba?', you need to know the basic negation 'hindi' and the question particle 'ba'. Since this pattern is often used as a tag question following a statement, understanding how Filipino forms basic sentences without a copula (the 'is' in 'It is beautiful, isn't it?') is also helpful.

Words in This Pattern

hindi ba