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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