Chinese tag questions often end with a short check, and the easiest way to answer is with a short reply. In this workshop you will listen to recorded lines, learn what each one means in English, and then practice choosing or recalling the right reply. You will work through three tasks: a guided exchange, a reply comprehension choice, and a recall task where you take the correct role. Each task includes an answer or self-check so you can confirm your choice before moving on.
Understanding Short Yes and No Replies
A short reply can answer a tag question without repeating the whole sentence. The recordings show four common short answers. «是的，我会的。» means the speaker agrees to do something in the future. «不，我不会。» means the speaker does not agree to do something in the future. «对，我是。» means the speaker agrees with a state or identity, such as being ready or being a student. «不，我不是。» means the speaker does not agree with that state or identity. Notice that the future pair and the state pair are different. When you hear a tag question, first decide whether it asks about a future action or a present state, then choose the matching short reply.
Choosing the Right Reply in a Conversation
In a real exchange, the question tells you which reply fits. «你明天会来吗？» asks about a future plan, so a future short answer is needed. «是的，我会的。» accepts that plan. If the answer were negative, the speaker would use the negative future reply. A different scene appears with «你会带电脑吧？», which checks whether the listener will bring a laptop. «不，我不会。我的电脑坏了。» refuses and gives a reason: the laptop is broken. This shows that a short no can be followed by a simple reason. When you practice, listen for the time word or the action. A future action points to the future pair, while a present state points to the state pair.
Listening for the Question Before You Answer
The question controls your answer, so listen carefully before speaking. «你明天会来吗？» contains a future time word, which signals a future reply. «你会带电脑吧？» contains a future action about bringing something, so it also needs a future reply. If you answer a future question with a state reply, the exchange sounds mismatched. A useful routine is: hear the question, identify future or state, then say the short reply. You can play the recordings again and pause after each question. Say your answer aloud, then compare it with the recorded reply. This builds speed without needing to invent new sentences.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
是的，我会的。
Yes, I will.
Shì de, wǒ huì de.
不，我不会。
No, I won't.
Bù, wǒ bù huì.
对，我是。
Yes, I am.
Duì, wǒ shì.
不，我不是。
No, I'm not.
Bù, wǒ bù shì.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你明天会来吗？
Are you coming tomorrow?是的，我会的。
Yes, I will.你会带电脑吧？
You'll bring your laptop, won't you?不，我不会。我的电脑坏了。
No, I won't. My laptop is broken.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Accept a Future Plan
You will hear a question about a future plan, then choose the short reply that accepts it. Play the question recording first, then the two answer options.
Your task: Listen to «你明天会来吗？». It asks whether you are coming tomorrow. Now choose the reply that accepts the plan: «是的，我会的。» or «不，我不会。». Say your choice aloud, then play the correct recorded reply to check.
Reply Comprehension: Accept or Refuse
You will hear a question about bringing a laptop, then decide whether the recorded reply accepts or refuses. This task checks listening comprehension, not speaking speed.
Your task: Listen to «你会带电脑吧？». It asks whether you will bring your laptop. Then listen to «不，我不会。我的电脑坏了。». Does the speaker accept or refuse? Say accept or refuse aloud, then explain the reason given in the recording.
Recall and Role Swap: Question and Answer
You will take both roles in two short scenes. First you answer, then you ask. Use only the recorded lines you have already heard.
Your task: Scene one: play «你明天会来吗？» and answer with the correct future affirmative short reply. Scene two: play «你会带电脑吧？» and answer with the correct negative future short reply and its reason. Then swap roles: say «你明天会来吗？» yourself, then play «是的，我会的。» as the reply. Finally say «你会带电脑吧？» yourself, then play «不，我不会。我的电脑坏了。» as the reply.
Common questions
How do I know whether to use the future pair or the state pair?
Listen to the question first. If it asks about a future action or plan, use the future pair. If it asks about a present state or identity, use the state pair. The recorded questions in this workshop both ask about future actions, so the future pair fits them.
Can I answer a tag question with just a short reply?
Yes. A short reply is often enough, and the recordings show short answers used naturally. If you refuse, you can add a simple reason after the short reply, as in the laptop scene. Keep the reason short and clear.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: responding to tag questionsChecked September 2026
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