HSK 7
可不是
kě bú shì
可不是 (kě bù shì) - Exactly, that's right
Explanation
可不是 (kě bù shì) is a colloquial pattern (a phrase habitually used in speech) used to strongly agree with what the other person says, meaning 'exactly', 'that's right', 'absolutely'.
可不是 (kě bù shì) + (a clause adding further affirmation). It usually stands at the start of a reply: 可不是，警察都来了 (exactly, even the police have come). It is sometimes shortened to 可不, or given 嘛 to become 可不是嘛.
in dialogue, when you want to chime in and strongly concur with what the other party has just said.
although it contains the character 不 (bù, not), the whole phrase carries an AFFIRMATIVE meaning, not a negative one — this is a 'rhetorical question used to affirm'.
misunderstanding 可不是 as 'that's not so' because of the character 不 (it actually expresses agreement); and using it at the start of a sentence to state one's own idea — it is used only to REPLY to what someone else has said.
Examples
A: What? Something happened at our house? B: Exactly — the police have already come.
A: Children really do grow up fast! B: That's right — he's about to start primary school already.
Practice
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Learn “可不是” effectively
The grammar point “可不是” (可不是 (kě bù shì) - Exactly, that's right) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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