岂能 (qǐ néng) — (rhetorical question) how could (one) possibly?; how can (it) be?
Definition
A formal, written rhetorical question meaning 'how could (one) possibly…?' — the answer is always no. The speaker condemns an action rather than asks a real question.
verb
(rhetorical question) how could (one) possibly?how can (it) be?
Examples
- 岂能？Wǒ men qǐ néng zuò shì bù guǎn?How could we sit by and do nothing?
- 岂能？Nǐ qǐ néng zhè yàng duì dài péng you?How could you treat a friend like this?
- 岂能？Tā qǐ néng zuò chū zhè zhǒng shì?How could he do such a thing?
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