反问: meaning, pinyin, and usage

Title: Understanding "反问" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 反问
• Pinyin: fǎnwèn
• Literal Meaning: "reverse ask" or "ask back" (反 = reverse/opposite, 问 = ask)
• Primary Meaning: A rhetorical question; to ask in reply or retort

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  In modern Chinese, 反问 has two closely related uses. The most common one is as a rhetorical question — a question asked not to get an answer, but to make a point, express emotion, or emphasize something. For example, “难道我们不应该帮助他吗？” (Nándào wǒmen bù yīnggāi bāngzhù tā ma?) literally asks “Don’t we obviously should help him?”, but the real meaning is “Of course we should help him!”

反问 can also be used as a verb meaning “to ask back / retort” in a conversation. For instance, if someone asks you a question and you respond with another question instead of a direct answer, that is 反问. In Chinese grammar learning, you will often encounter the term 反问句 (fǎnwèn jù), meaning “rhetorical question sentence.”

• Character Breakdown:
• 反 (fǎn): reverse, opposite, turn over, go against
• 问 (wèn): to ask, question

Together, 反问 literally means “reversed asking” or “asking back.” The idea is that the question works in reverse: instead of seeking information, it delivers an implied answer or attitude.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 这是一个反问句。
• Pinyin: Zhè shì yí gè fǎnwèn jù.
• English: This is a rhetorical question.

• Chinese: 他反问我：“难道你还不明白吗？”
• Pinyin: Tā fǎnwèn wǒ: “Nándào nǐ hái bù míngbai ma?”
• English: He asked me back, “Don’t you understand yet?”

• Chinese: 她用反问的语气表达不满。
• Pinyin: Tā yòng fǎnwèn de yǔqì biǎodá bùmǎn.
• English: She expressed her dissatisfaction with a rhetorical tone.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese, rhetorical questions are very common in daily speech and writing. They often use words or patterns such as 难道 (nándào, “could it be that…”), 不是……吗 (bù shì… ma, “isn’t it…?”), 何不 (hé bù, “why not…?”), and 怎么 (zěnme, “how could…”). These questions can express surprise, blame, suggestion, or strong emotion.

When 反问 is used to reply to someone by asking another question, it can sometimes sound defensive, impatient, or argumentative depending on the tone of voice. In Chinese culture, being too directly confrontational is often avoided in polite conversation, so learners should be careful about the tone when using 反问 in spoken Chinese. However, recognizing 反问 is very important because it frequently appears in arguments, debates, literature, and everyday conversations.

Conclusion

Remember 反问 by thinking of it as a question that “asks back” instead of asking for information. It either works as a rhetorical question to emphasize a point, or as a retort in conversation. If you see a Chinese question that seems to expect no answer and instead makes a statement, you are likely looking at a 反问句.