B2 noun Formal 1 min read

岂不

qǐbù /tɕʰi i pu/
Practice it

Use '岂不' to turn a statement into a strong, persuasive rhetorical question.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to form rhetorical questions implying a strong positive.
  • Functions as an adverbial modifier before verbs or adjectives.
  • Adds a formal or literary tone to the sentence.

Overview

  1. 1概览：“岂不”是汉语中非常经典的文言虚词演变而来的词汇，在现代汉语中依然具有很强的书面语色彩和修辞力度。它将“岂”（难道）与“不”（否定词）结合，通过否定之否定的逻辑，达到强调肯定的效果。2) 用法模式：“岂不”通常位于主语之后、谓语动词或形容词之前。其结构通常为“岂不+动词/形容词+吗/呢”。这种结构不仅用于询问，更多是用于表达说话人的强烈主观意图，即“这难道不是理所应当的吗？”3) 常见语境：在正式演讲、书面议论文、文学作品或带有说服性质的谈话中，“岂不”出现频率极高。例如，当你想强调某件事的益处时，说“这样做岂不更好？”比直接说“这样做更好”语气更强，更能引发听者的共鸣。4) 近义词辨析：与“难道不”相比，“岂不”更具文化底蕴和书面感。“难道不”更口语化，适用于日常对话；“岂不”则显得更为凝练，常用于表达某种逻辑上的必然性。例如，“这岂不妙哉？”比“这难道不妙吗？”更具文学美感。

Examples

1

这样做岂不更好？

everyday

Wouldn't it be better to do it this way?

2

能够参与这项研究，岂不荣幸之至？

formal

Is it not a great honor to participate in this research?

3

这岂不是自找麻烦？

informal

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

4

此举岂不违背了初衷？

academic

Does this action not contradict the original intention?

Common Collocations

岂不更好 wouldn't it be better
岂不美哉 wouldn't it be wonderful
岂不令人遗憾 isn't it a pity

Common Phrases

岂不妙哉

Isn't it wonderful?

岂不荒唐

Isn't it absurd?

岂不闻

Have you not heard?

Often Confused With

岂不 vs 难道

“难道”通常后面需要加“不”才能构成反问，而“岂不”本身自带否定，结构更简洁。

岂不 vs 何尝

“何尝”多用于“何尝不”，语气比“岂不”更委婉，多用于自我辩解或谦虚。

Grammar Patterns

岂不 + [动词/形容词] + 吗 岂不 + [谓语] + 呢

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Use '岂不' primarily in written Chinese or formal speech to add rhetorical flair. It is a powerful tool for persuasion, turning a statement into an irrefutable question. Avoid overusing it in casual conversation to prevent sounding too stiff or archaic.

Common Mistakes

Learners often place '岂不' at the very end of the sentence, which is grammatically incorrect. Another mistake is using it in simple factual questions where no rhetorical emphasis is needed. Ensure the context implies an opinion rather than just a request for information.

Tips

💡

Use for emphasis

Use '岂不' when you want to sound more persuasive or emphasize that a fact is obvious. It transforms a simple observation into a compelling point.

⚠️

Avoid in casual texting

While correct, using '岂不' in very casual text messages might sound overly formal or slightly pretentious. Stick to '难道不' for friends.

🌍

Literary origins

This word has roots in classical Chinese literature. Using it correctly demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and appreciation for Chinese rhetorical style.

Word Origin

The word stems from Classical Chinese, where '岂' was a standard interrogative particle. Over centuries, it fused with '不' to create a fixed idiomatic structure that emphasizes the logical necessity of a positive answer.

Cultural Context

The usage of '岂不' reflects the Chinese rhetorical tradition of using indirect questions to show respect or to make an argument more persuasive without being overly confrontational.

Memory Tip

Think of '岂不' as 'Qi-bu', which sounds like 'Keep-not'. Imagine you are keeping a question in your mind that you already know the answer to!

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

在大多数语境下意思相同，但“岂不”更具书面语色彩，显得更文雅。而“难道不”更加口语化，适合日常交流。

不一定。虽然加上“吗”或“呢”可以增强语气，但在一些文言色彩较浓的句子中，直接使用“岂不+动词”即可构成完整的反问句。

“岂不”本身已包含否定意义，若再加否定词，会变成双重否定，表示肯定的意思，如“岂不不可”即“怎么能不可以呢”。

是的，它比一般的口语表达更正式，常用于文章、演讲或严肃的讨论中。

Test Yourself

fill blank

如果我们能提前完成任务，___是一件好事？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 岂不

“岂不”与后面的“是一件好事”构成反问，语气最贴切。

multiple choice

“这岂不妙哉？”的意思是？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这真是太妙了。

“岂不”构成的反问句，本质上是表达强烈的肯定。

sentence building

[岂不] [学习] [为了] [更好] [的] [生活] [吗]？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 学习岂不为了更好的生活吗？

“岂不”应放在谓语动词之前，修饰整个动作。

Score: /3

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