可不是

• Pinyin: kě bù shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 可 = 丁 + 口; 不 = negation radical; 是 = 日 (sun) + 正 (correct)

Meaning

Isn't that so; exactly; you said it. An emphatic expression used to strongly agree with someone's statement.

A colloquial phrase used in conversation to express hearty agreement, often with a sense of shared experience or mutual understanding. Functions similarly to 'tell me about it' or 'you can say that again' in English. Can also imply that the speaker had the same thought or experience.

Examples

1. 可不是嘛，这几年物价涨得太厉害了，工资却没怎么涨。 You said it — prices have gone up so much these past few years, but salaries haven't kept up.
2. 可不是，我昨天也被那家店坑了一把。 Tell me about it, I got ripped off by that store yesterday too.
3. 可不是吗，现在找个靠谱的装修师傅比登天还难。 Isn't that the truth — finding a reliable renovation contractor these days is harder than reaching the sky.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, casual chat, agreement

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 可不是嘛，现在的孩子太辛苦了。(Isn't that the truth — kids these days have it so hard.)
• 可不是，我也这么想。(Exactly, I think so too.)

Don't Say

• 在正式报告中写'可不是'。(Don't use 可不是 in formal writing — it's purely conversational; use 确实如此 instead)

Origin & History

Rhetorical expression combining 可 (indeed) + 不是 (isn't it). The phrase questions rhetorically while affirming strongly.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal