岂 qǐ, kǎi — how can?; surely not? (rhetorical)

岂
qǐ kǎi

Level 1 · Common HSK 7-9 #439

Traditional: 豈

qǐ qi3

Basic definition

  1. adverb how can?; surely not? (rhetorical) e.g 岂敢岂止岂非

Detailed explanation

adjective
  1. 形
adverb
  1. (形声。从壴( zhù)省，微省声。壴，陈列乐器。( kǎi)本义:回师时献功之乐)
  2. “岂”假借作虚词，用在句中或句首，表示反问
  3. how e.g 岂奈 · 岂不尔思 · 岂有他哉
  4. much less;let alone e.g 岂况
  5. 其
  6. would e.g 岂不可
  7. perhaps;maybe e.g 岂有

kǎi kai3

Basic definition

  1. adjective happy; contented (archaic, = 恺) e.g 岂弟
  1. 古同“恺”，快乐。
  2. 古同“凯”，胜利的。

Related words