Definition
反问 (fǎn wèn) means to ask a rhetorical question—one that doesn't seek an answer—or to reply to a question with another question. Unlike 提问 (tí wèn), which is a neutral request for information, 反问 often carries a tone of challenge, retort, or persuasion and is common in speech or debate.
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 nándào bú shì zuì hǎo de bànfǎ ma?"He asked rhetorically: 'Isn't this the best way?'
- ，反问：“？”Nǐ wèn wǒ wèishéme bú qù, wǒ fǎn wèn nǐ: "Nǐ wèishéme 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 kètáng shàng zǒngshì fǎn wèn lǎoshī.Don't always ask questions back to the teacher in class.
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