Definition
难道 is the everyday adverb used before a verb to form a rhetorical question expressing surprise or disbelief — 'could it really be that…?'. 莫非 (mò fēi) carries a similar meaning but is more speculative and literary, usually used in written or formal contexts.
adverb
used in rhetorical questions to express surprise or disbelief: 'could it be that…''don't tell me…'
Examples
- 难道?nán dào nǐ zhēn de xiāngxìn tā ma?Don't tell me you actually believe him?
- 难道?nán dào zhè cì kǎoshì hěn nán ma?Could it be that this exam is really hard?
- 难道?nán dào zhè jiàn shì jiù zhèyàng jiéshù le?You mean this matter just ended like that?
Grammar
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.