how can (something be allowed); rhetorical question to express disapproval
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
how could one...; is it permissible to... (rhetorical, implying "one must not")
formalUsed in formal or literary contexts to strongly argue against an action, implying it is unacceptable or unthinkable. Often used to introduce a rhetorical question.
Qǐ岂
kě可
yán言
ér而
wú无
xìn信
？
How can one go back on one's word?
Wǒ我
men们
qǐ岂
kě可
zuò坐
yǐ以
dài待
bì毙
？
How can we just sit and wait for death?
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Wéi为
rén人
shī师
biǎo表
，
qǐ岂
kě可
zuò做
chū出
zhè这
yàng样
de的
shì事
？
As a teacher and role model, how could you do such a thing?
Cǐ此
shì事
guān关
hū乎
guó国
jiā家
lì利
yì益
，
qǐ岂
kě可
děng等
xián闲
shì视
zhī之
？
This matter concerns national interests; how can we treat it lightly?
Bǎo保
hù护
huán环
jìng境
shì是
měi每
gè个
rén人
de的
zé责
rèn任
，
qǐ岂
néng能
tuī推
tuō脱
，
qǐ岂
kě可
bù不
wéi为
？
Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility. How can we shirk it? How can we not act?