ask a rhetorical question; counter-question
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to ask a rhetorical question; to retort with a question
formalA rhetorical device where one asks a question not to get an answer, but to make a point or express a strong feeling. Common in debate, formal writing, and persuasive speech.
Tā他
bìng并
méi没
yǒu有
zhí直
jiē接
huí回
dá答
，
ér而
shì是
fǎn反
jié诘
dào道
：
“
Nǐ你
yǒu有
shén什
me么
zhèng证
jù据
？
”
。
He didn't answer directly, but instead retorted, 'What evidence do you have?'
Yǎn演
jiǎng讲
zhě者
fǎn反
jié诘
tīng听
zhòng众
，
yǐ以
qiáng强
diào调
tā他
de的
lùn论
diǎn点
。
The speaker asked the audience a rhetorical question to emphasize his point.
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Miàn面
duì对
zhǐ指
kòng控
，
tā她
zhǐ只
yòng用
le了
yī一
gè个
jiān尖
ruì锐
de的
fǎn反
jié诘
zuò作
wéi为
huí回
yìng应
。
Faced with the accusation, she responded with only a sharp rhetorical question.