反问 (fǎn wèn) — to ask a rhetorical question (not expecting an answer); to answer a question with a question
Definition
反问 is asking a question back at someone — either to make a point (a rhetorical question) or to counter their question with one of your own. Unlike 提问 (genuinely seeking information), 反问 is confrontational and expects no real answer.
verb
to ask a rhetorical question (not expecting an answer)to answer a question with a question
Examples
- 反问:“?”Tā fǎn wèn dào: "zhè nán dào bú shì zuì hǎo de bàn fǎ ma?"He asked rhetorically: 'Isn't this the best way?'
- ,反问:“?”Nǐ wèn wǒ wèi shén me bú qù, wǒ fǎn wèn nǐ: "nǐ wèi shén me bù zǎo shuō?"You asked me why I'm not going, I reply with a question: 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?'
- 反问。Bú yào zài kè táng shàng zǒng shì fǎn wèn lǎo shī.Don't always ask questions back to the teacher in class.
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