Decoded Slug: 难道 (nándào) - Used rhetorically to express surprise or disbelief
Mandarin Grammar Point
难道 (nándào) - Used rhetorically to express surprise or disbelief
难道 (nándào) - Used rhetorically to express surprise or disbelief
Short explanation:
Used rhetorically to express surprise or disbelief when one's assumptions or expectations are not met.
Formation:
难道 + Predicate?
Examples:
难道你不知道我是为你好吗？
Nándào nǐ bù zhīdào wǒ shì wèi nǐ hǎo ma?
Could it be that you don't know I'm doing this for your own good?
难道你还没完成作业吗？
Nándào nǐ hái méi wánchéng zuòyè ma?
Don't tell me you still haven't finished your homework?
难道他真的去了美国吗？
Nándào tā zhēn de qù le Měiguó ma?
Could it be that he really went to the United States?
难道他忘记我们的约定了吗？
Nándào tā wàngjì wǒmen de yuēdìng le ma?
Don't tell me he forgot our agreement?
Long explanation:
The Mandarin Chinese phrase '难道 (nándào)' is a rhetorical tool utilized to communicate surprise or disbelief, particularly when a situation unfolds contrary to one's expectations or assumptions. Its English equivalent can be likened to the phrases 'Could it be that...?' or 'Don't tell me that...'. '难道' is typically used in rhetorical questions and is often used to express a speaker's surprised or strong emotions.