Advanced uses of "hai"

This article focuses on two of the advanced usages of 还. It can be used to express a surprised or shocked tone.

Expressing a Strong Tone of Surprise

Structure

Often used with "呢", this sentence structure expresses the situation as irrational, uncommon, and unexpected. It can also be used to express astonishment, dissatisfaction, or sarcasm. 常跟"呢"连用，表示某种情况不合理、不寻常，没想到会这样但居然如此。多包含惊讶、不满、讽刺的语气。

Subj. + 还 + Predicate + 呢

Examples

• 这个 小孩 还 真 聪明 ！Zhège xiǎohái hái zhēn cōngmíng!This kid is brilliant!
• 还 留 过 学 呢 ，英语 这么 差 。Hái liúguò xué ne, Yīngyǔ zhème chà.You have studied abroad, yet your English is so bad.
• 还 好朋友 呢 ，天天 说 我 坏话 。Hái hǎo péngyǒu ne, tiāntiān shuō wǒ huàihuà.What a good friend! Speaking evil of me all the time.
• 还 大 老板 呢 ，一点 也 不 大方 。Hái dà lǎobǎn ne, yīdiǎn yě bù dàfāng.He is the big boss, yet he is not generous at all.
• 都 怪 你 ，你 还 生气 呢 。Dōu guài nǐ, nǐ hái shēngqì ne.It's all your fault, yet you're mad.

Used in a Rhetorical Question

Structure

When used with "吗", it changes the statement into a rhetorical question. 跟"吗"连用，加强反问语气。

Subj. + 还 + [Verb Phrase] + 吗 ?

Examples

• 他 那么 有钱 ，还 在乎 这 点 钱 吗 ？Tā nàme yǒu qián, hái zàihū zhè diǎn qián ma?He has so much money, will he care about this small amount of money?
• 这 种 人 你 还 相信 吗 ？Zhè zhǒng rén nǐ hái xiāngxìn ma?Do you even believe this type of person?
• 过期 的 牛奶 你 还 喝 吗 ？Guòqí de niúnǎi nǐ hái hē ma?The milk is expired, yet you're going to drink it?
• 今天 这么 热，你 还 出门 吗 ？Jīntiān zhème rè, nǐ hái chūmén ma?It's so hot today, yet you're going out now?
• 他 说的 话，你 还 听 吗 ？Tā shuō dehuà, nǐ hái tīng ma?Did you listen to what he said?

See also

• Moderating positive adjectives with "hai"
• Expressing "and also" with "hai"
• Continuation with "hai"

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5