じゃないか (ja nai ka) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Isn't It?
Anna Baffa Volpe
4 min reading time
Updated on 4 April 2023
The structure じゃないか (janaika) is a negative interrogative form and means isn't it?, right?.
It is preceded by nouns, adjectives and verbs.
In this post we learn more about the meaning of じゃないか, how it is formed and when じゃないか is used through real example sentences.
How and when to use じゃないか
This structure is used to express emotions such as surprise at something unexpected, but also blame and anger depending on the situation.
With this form you also ask your interlocutor for confirmation of what you are saying.
It is true, isn't it? Right?
Expression: いいじゃないか: Why not? It's fine, isn't it?, Never mind.
まちがったっていいじゃないか。
It doesn't matter if you're wrong.
How じゃないか is formed
じゃないか is formed:
- by じゃない or ではない, negative forms of the
copula だ - and by the interrogative particle か
ではないか is more formal than じゃないか.
不景気 refers to recession, crisis and 影響 means influence, effect, impact
これは不景気の影響ではないか。
This is the recession’s effect, isn't it?
高い Adjective in い, means high, expensive, expensive
このレストランは高いじゃないか。
This restaurant is expensive, isn't it?
素敵な Adjective in な means beautiful, magnificent, splendid
Title of a CD by The Beach Boys: 『Wouldn't It Be Nice』
素敵じゃないか。
Wouldn't it be nice?
十分な means enough, sufficient
もう十分じゃないか？
Isn't that enough?
料理を全部一人で作ったじゃないか。
You did all the cooking by yourself, didn't you?
With adjectives ending in い and verbs we often find the form んじゃないか.
いやな風だ。台風が来るんじゃないか。
It's a nasty wind, isn't there a typhoon coming?
彼の話し方から彼が医者ではないかと思った。
The way he spoke made me think he was a doctor.
Volitive / exhortative form and じゃないか
Complete access to all the material published in the past and published new every week. Many more audio resources: listen to original audio sentences and dialogues with captions and explanations. Full dialogues to explain every grammar, word, or kanji in the details in a real Japanese context. All the material comes from original Japanese sources and websites, we do all the work to select the best material. We publish new articles, grammars, dialogues, audio, and many updates every week. By joining GokuGoku you will have complete access to all material published today and in the future.
Support the website
Our supporters have access to extra explanations, examples, audio, and more 🙏🏼
Support us to unlockExamples of じゃないか
全然電話がつながらない。もしかして番号が間違っているのではないか。
I can't get through on the phone at all. Perhaps the number is wrong.
その逆じゃないか？
Isn't it the opposite?
コンピュータを壊してしまったじゃないか。
You broke your computer.
