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

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

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?

See also

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

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5