“to be or not to be”
The opening words of a famous soliloquy from Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which the protagonist contemplates existence, mortality, and suffering. More broadly, the phrase is used to pose a fundamental question about whether to continue doing something or cease entirely. Listen to how native speakers pronounce "to be or not to be" in the video clips below.
Hear how "to be or not to be" sounds in real speech — 1,000 examples from 9 videos, movies, and TV shows. Sources: Good Omens, What We Do In The Shadows, Futurama, BBC Learning English, Kill Tony and 4 more.
1,000
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9
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Examples in video
TV ShowGood Omens
Good Omens — S01E03
“To be or not to be.”
From the top. … That is the question.
Play at 9:26
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TV ShowWhat We Do In The Shadows
What We Do In The Shadows — S06E11
“"To be or not to be?"”
I think the question that
Gizmo is asking himself is, … Because that is the question
Gizmo is asking himself.
Play at 11:15
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 11:15
YouTubeBBC Learning English104K views · 2023-12-20
Richest 1% harm planet most: BBC News Review
“To be or not to be.”
I recognise
from the theatre, like Shakespeare. … No, no, no stop stop stop,
Play at 4:55
YouTubeKill Tony1.4M views · 2023-07-08
KT #617 - ALI SIDDIQ
“to be or not to be”
foreign … that is the question whether it is
Play at 29:30
YouTubeVariety910K views · 2025-06-04
Dave Chappelle & Mo Amer | Actors on Actors
“"To be or not to be," that
is thy question, oh Maria.”
- All of a sudden Maria,
the theater aficionado, … - To your point, I've never seen a series
Play at 6:28
TV ShowFuturama
Futurama — S08E01
“To be or not to be. That is the question.”
human actors can achieve. … Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows...
Play at 15:47
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TV ShowGood Omens
Good Omens — S01E03
“- To be or not to be, that is the question.
- They look scrummy.”
- Oranges!
- Some grapes, please. … Whether 'tis nobler in the mind
Play at 8:15
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YouTubeThe Pivot Podcast1.2M views · 2025-06-20
Godfrey, comedian of controversy & culture, tackling tough topics thru humor and honesty | The Pivot
“to be or not to be? Huh? There's a thing”
you know? I was like, have you ever seen … on Instagram. There's a thing on
Play at 1:06:00
YouTubePatrick (H) Willems316K views · 2024-06-30
I Went To Cannes To See The Most Insane Movie Of The Year
“to be or not to be monologue from Hamlet”
Driver just suddenly recites the entire … uh in another scene John Carlo Esposito
Play at 42:10
YouTubeNetflix Is A Joke120K views · 2025-04-29
Best Of Lola Skumpy | Big Mouth | Netflix Is A Joke
“To be or not to be, that is the question.”
Action, Lola. … 'Tis nobler in the Mind of Mencia
Play at 2:32