莫非…?
HSK 6- Questions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
莫非 is used in rhetorical questions or conjecture, carrying the meaning of "could it be that" or "is it possible that"; it is generally more formal than 难道.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
莫非 is an adverb used to express a conjecture or rhetorical question based on a given situation. It carries a meaning similar to "could it be that" or "don't tell me that."
Compared to 难道, 莫非 has a slightly more formal and literary tone. Speakers typically use 莫非 when there is some basis for suspecting something, but without certainty.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他今天一句话也不说，莫非他生气了？繁: 他今天一句話也不說，莫非他生氣了？Tā jīntiān yí jù huà yě bù shuō, mòfēi tā shēngqì le?
He hasn't said a single word all day today; could it be that he's angry?
- 都八点了，他还没来，莫非他忘了？繁: 都八點了，他還沒來，莫非他忘了？Dōu bā diǎn le, tā hái méi lái, mòfēi tā wàng le?
It's already eight o'clock and he still hasn't arrived; could it be that he forgot?
- 办公室的灯还亮着，莫非有人加班？繁: 辦公室的燈還亮著，莫非有人加班？Bàngōngshì de dēng hái liàng zhe, mòfēi yǒu rén jiābān?
The office light is still on; could someone be working late?
- 孩子突然这么乖，莫非做错了什么事？繁: 孩子突然這麼乖，莫非做錯了什麼事？Háizi tūrán zhème guāi, mòfēi zuò cuò le shénme shì?
The child has suddenly become so well-behaved; could it be that he has done something wrong?
- 一切都准备好了，莫非我们忽略了什么？繁: 一切都準備好了，莫非我們忽略了什麼？Yíqiè dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le, mòfēi wǒmen hūlüè le shénme?
Everything is prepared, could it be that we overlooked something?
Common mistakes
- Wrong:莫非你不去？Correct:难道你不去吗？
In intimate spoken language, using `难道` sounds more natural. `莫非` is typically used in written language or more formal contexts.