反问 meaning in English
to ask (a question) in reply; to answer a question with a question
Meaning of 反问
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to ask (a question) in reply
- to answer a question with a question
- rhetorical question
How to use 反问
反问 is a verb for answering a question with another question, often to challenge or make a point. It also names the rhetorical question as a figure of speech, as in 反问句 (fǎnwènjù, rhetorical question). Example: 他没回答，反而反问我：“你觉得呢？” (Tā méi huídá, fǎn'ér fǎnwèn wǒ: "Nǐ juéde ne?") He didn't answer. Instead he asked me back, "What do you think?"
反 (fǎn) means to turn back or reverse, and 问 (wèn) means to ask. When you 反问, you turn the question back on the person who asked it.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 反问 for any follow-up question. A neutral follow-up is 追问 (zhuīwèn, to question closely) or just 再问 (zài wèn). 反问 implies turning the question back or asking rhetorically. Also keep 反 in third tone, fǎn, not fàn.
反问 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
反 fǎn · contrary · 4 strokes
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问 wèn · to ask · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 反问.
| 请问 | qǐngwèn | Excuse me, may I ask...? |
| 问题 | wèntí | question; problem |
| 问路 | wènlù | to ask for directions; to ask the way (to some place) |
| 反正 | fǎnzhèng | anyway; in any case |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | to oppose; to be against; to object to |
| 反应 | fǎnyìng | to react; to respond |
| 访问 | fǎngwèn | to visit; to call on (a person or place); (computing) to visit (a website); to access (a n |
| 提问 | tíwèn | to question; to quiz; to grill |
| 反复 | fǎnfù | repeatedly; over and over |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | opposite; contrary |
| 反而 | fǎn'ér | on the contrary; instead |
| 问候 | wènhòu | to give one's respects; to send a greeting |
Questions about 反问
What does 反问 mean?
反问 (fǎnwèn) means "to ask (a question) in reply; to answer a question with a question" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 反问?
反问 is made of 2 characters: 反 (4 strokes), 问 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 反问 an HSK word?
Yes. 反问 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 反问 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 反问 is written 反問.
What is a 反问句 and how do I recognize one?
A 反问句 is a rhetorical question that expresses a strong statement. Common patterns include 难道…吗 and 不是…吗, as in 这不是很简单吗？ (Isn't this simple?), which really means "This is simple."
What is the difference between 反问 and 回答?
回答 (huídá) means to answer a question directly. 反问 means you respond with a question instead of an answer, often to avoid answering or to challenge the other person.