AdverbsHSK 5
Rhetorical questions with 难道
Use 难道 at the start of a yes-no question ending with 吗 to form a rhetorical question that implies the opposite of what is stated, often expressing disbelief or surprise.
难道 can also introduce a wh-question without 吗, expressing indignation or a rhetorical sense of 'how could it be?'.
Structure
难道 + [Rhetorical Question] + 吗？
难道 + [Wh-Question]？
No 吗 at the end; used for rhetorical wh-questions
Examples
- 难道你真的相信他吗？Nán dào nǐ zhēn de xiāng xìn tā ma?You don't actually believe him, do you?
- 今天是我的生日，难道你不知道吗？Jīn tiān shì wǒ de shēng rì, nán dào nǐ bù zhī dào ma?Today's my birthday; you're telling me you didn't know?
- 你这么冷静，难道不知道发生了什么吗？Nǐ zhè me lěng jìng, nán dào bù zhī dào fā shēng le shén me ma?You are so calm. Do you not know what happened?
- 难道我应该给你多少钱？Nán dào wǒ yīng gāi gěi nǐ duō shǎo qián?How much money should I give you?
- 难道他们还要等多长时间？Nán dào tā men hái yào děng duō cháng shí jiān?How long do they still have to wait?