试问，…？

I ask you, …? (a challenge whose answer is obvious)

Structure

论据，试问，反问句？

What it means

'I ask you …?': a question whose answer is obvious, so it works as a strong denial or accusation.

How it is built

Reasoning + 试问，+ rhetorical question with 谁／怎么／难道／凭什么: 连自己的承诺都做不到，试问，还有谁会相信你？ (You can't keep your promises: who will believe you?)

When to use it

Debates, speeches, editorials and argumentative essays, usually after the reasoning that makes the answer clear. It sounds combative, so keep it out of polite conversation.

Watch out

Never use it to ask for information. ✗ 试问，洗手间在哪儿？ ✓ 请问，洗手间在哪儿？

Examples

对方辩友说人人生来都善，试问，世上的恶从何而来？

My opponents say everyone is born good. Then I ask you: where does the evil in the world come from?

连自己的承诺都做不到，试问，还有谁会相信你？

If you cannot even keep your own promises, I ask you, who is going to believe you?

试问，一个连孩子的安全都保证不了的游乐场，凭什么收这么贵的门票？

I ask you: what right has an amusement park that cannot even keep children safe to charge such high prices?

Learn this in Lesson 227 · HSK 9+: 辩论的艺术 (The art of debate)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.

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