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    Chinese Grammar

    Marking a rhetorical question with ?

    Emphasis
    Questions

    Structure

    Subject + 能不/难道 + Verb + ?

    Explanation

    In Chinese, a rhetorical question uses the question mark (?) along with structures that imply the answer is obvious. Words like 能不 (can one not) or 难道 (could it be that) signal that the speaker expects agreement rather than an actual answer. For instance, 能不忆江南? means "How could one not recall Jiangnan?" — the expected answer is obvious.

    Examples

    • 这么美的风景,能不让人陶醉吗?

      Zhème měi de fēngjǐng, néng bù ràng rén táozuì ma?

      With scenery this beautiful, how could one not be enchanted?

    • 难道你不觉得他说得有道理?

      Nándào nǐ bù juédé tā shuō de yǒu dàolǐ?

      Don't you think what he said makes sense?

    • 这么好的机会,能不珍惜吗?

      zhème hǎo de jīhuì, néng bù zhēnxī ma?

      Such a good opportunity—how could you not cherish it?

    Marking a rhetorical question with ? | Chinese Grammar