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March 24, 2026
反问(反問)fǎnwèn(fan3wen4)
反问 (fǎn wèn) refers to the act of responding to a question with another question, often used to emphasize a point or to provoke thought. It is commonly employed in rhetorical contexts to challenge the original question or to highlight absurdities in the question itself. This technique is prevalent in debates and discussions to reinforce one's argument.
Frequency#21869DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 反问 is often used in discussions to express disagreement or to subtly challenge authority, reflecting the value placed on critical thinking and debate. It showcases the importance of dialogue in Chinese communication styles.
Memory Tip
Think of 反 (fǎn) as 'reverse' and 问 (wèn) as 'ask'. Visualize a tennis match where instead of answering, you hit the ball back with another question, reversing the play. This imagery connects the concept of responding with a question back to the original inquiry.
Meanings of 反问
fǎnwèn(fan3wen4)
1to ask (a question) in reply
2to answer a question with a question
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About 反问
反问Simplified
反問Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#21869Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 反问
Podcast: 反问
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AI Study Notes for 反问
Quick Contrast
反驳 (fǎnbó) is used when directly countering or rebutting an argument, while 反问 (fǎnwèn) involves responding with a question to provoke thought, not necessarily countering the argument directly.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 反 (fǎn) as 'reverse' and 问 (wèn) as 'ask'. Visualize a tennis match where instead of answering, you hit the ball back with another question, reversing the play. This imagery connects the concept of responding with a question back to the original inquiry.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 反问 in overly formal contexts, as it may come off as confrontational. Common collocations include 反问句 (rhetorical question) and 以问反问 (to answer a question with a question). Remember that the tone of your voice can impact how your rhetorical question is received, so use it judiciously.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 反问 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to debate and dialogue. Students should focus on practicing its usage in various contexts, especially in argumentative speech or writing, to understand its effectiveness.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 反问 is often used in discussions to express disagreement or to subtly challenge authority, reflecting the value placed on critical thinking and debate. It showcases the importance of dialogue in Chinese communication styles.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 反问 by responding with a statement instead of another question. For instance, saying '这是不可能的' (That's impossible) instead of a question like '你真这么认为吗?' (Do you really think so?) misses the essence of 反问.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 反问
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Grammar Patterns of 反问
反问 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Feng Yun - ching asked nervously, sitting up with a start.
Cultural Notes for 反问
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 反问 is often used in discussions to express disagreement or to subtly challenge authority, reflecting the value placed on critical thinking and debate. It showcases the importance of dialogue in Chinese communication styles.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, rhetorical questions are also used, but they may not carry the same weight of challenging authority as they do in Chinese contexts, where questioning can be seen as a form of respect and engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about 反问
You can say, '你为什么这么想？难道你不觉得反问很重要吗？' (Why do you think that? Don't you think asking back is important?)
While 反问 can be used in formal settings, it's more prevalent in spoken language and informal writing, especially in persuasive contexts.
It can be perceived as rude if used inappropriately or too frequently, especially in sensitive conversations.
