Simple rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are ones where the speaker doesn't really expect an answer. The answer should be obvious, and the question is asked in order to make a point.

Structure

There are several very common types of rhetorical questions using basic words you already know:

不是……吗？

This first one is the easiest and most common. It can be quite friendly, seemingly reminding the other person of a fact they seem to have (conveniently?) forgotten.

怎么会……？

This second one has a tone of incredulity. The speaker clearly thinks this shouldn't have happened, or thought it couldn't have happened.

谁让你……？

The third one is exclusively used by surly or annoyed people. It means "who told you to...?" or "who made you...?"

Examples

• A: 这 是 什么？Zhè shì shénme?What is this?
• B:这 是 我 的 iPad。Zhè shì wǒ de iPad.This is my iPad.

• A:你 喜欢 吃 什么 菜？ Nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme cài?What kind of food do you like?
• B:我 喜欢 吃 中国 菜。 Wǒ xǐhuan chī Zhōngguó cài.I like Chinese food.

• A:你 用 什么 手机？Nǐ yòng shénme shǒujī?What kind of cell phone do you use?
• B:我 用 iPhone。Wǒ yòng iPhone.I use an iPhone.

• A:你 在 看 什么 书？Nǐ zài kàn shénme shū?What kind of book are you reading?
• B:我 在 看 小说。Wǒ zài kàn xiǎoshuō.I am reading a novel.

• A:他 开 什么 车？Tā kāi shénme chē? What kind of car does he drive?
• B:他 开 宝马。 Tā kāi Bǎomǎ.He drives a BMW.

See also

• Yes-no questions with "ma"
• Rhetorical questions with "nandao"

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 2 (pp. 101) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Websites

• Wikipedia: Rhetorical question

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