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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing rhetorical challenge with 岂不 (qǐbù)

    HSK 5
    Emphasis
    Questions

    Structure

    岂不 + 是 + Consequence + 了/吗

    Explanation

    The adverb 岂不 (qǐbù) is used in rhetorical questions to mean "wouldn't that be" or "isn't that," implying an obvious or undesirable consequence. It is a literary and emphatic expression that expects the listener to agree with the implied conclusion. For example, 那岂不是太浪费了 means "wouldn't that be too wasteful?"

    Examples

    • 这么好的机会不抓住，岂不太可惜了？

      zhème hǎo de jīhuì bù zhuāzhù, qǐ bú tài kěxī le?

      Wouldn't it be such a shame not to seize such a great opportunity?

    • 大家都去了你不去，岂不让人觉得奇怪？

      dàjiā dōu qù le nǐ bú qù, qǐ bú ràng rén juéde qíguài?

      Everyone else is going but you're not — wouldn't that seem strange?

    • 花了这么多时间准备，现在放弃岂不前功尽弃？

      huāle zhème duō shíjiān zhǔnbèi, xiànzài fàngqì qǐ bú qiángōngjìnqì?

      After spending so much time preparing, wouldn't giving up now mean all that effort was wasted?

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