can it be that; is it possible that
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadverb
can it be that; is it possible that; could it be
Used to express a guess or rhetorical question, often implying surprise or doubt. Frequently used with “不成” at the end of the sentence to form a rhetorical question meaning 'Could it really be that...?'
Tā他
jiāng将
xìn信
jiāng将
yí疑
de地
shuō说
，
mò莫
fēi非
wǒ我
tīng听
cuò错
le了
？
He said with skepticism, 'Could it be that I heard wrong?'
Jīn今
tiān天
tā她
méi没
lái来
，
mò莫
fēi非
yòu又
shēng生
bìng病
le了
bù不
chéng成
？
She didn't come today, could it be that she's sick again?
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Mén门
suǒ锁
zhe着
，
mò莫
fēi非
tā他
hái还
méi没
huí回
lái来
？
The door is locked, is it possible that he hasn't come back yet?
Qián钱
bāo包
bú不
jiàn见
le了
，
mò莫
fēi非
bèi被
tōu偷
le了
？
The wallet is gone, could it have been stolen?
Nǐ你
liǎn脸
sè色
zhè这
me么
chà差
，
mò莫
fēi非
zuó昨
wǎn晚
méi没
shuì睡
hǎo好
？
You look so pale, could it be that you didn't sleep well last night?