Learn Rhetorical Questions in Chinese + Viral Food on Douyin | HSK3 Podcast

Do you know how to use rhetorical questions in Chinese?
In this episode, you’ll learn how the structure 能不…吗？ works and why it makes your Mandarin sound more natural, expressive, and emphatic. These aren’t real questions — they’re a way to say “Come on, it’s obvious!”
You’ll be able to say things like:
“You didn’t eat. How could you not be hungry?”
“It rained all night. How could the streets not be wet?”

We’ll also explore the world of viral food trends on Douyin (Chinese TikTok): from the beautiful-but-wobbly strawberry tower (草莓塔) to the dramatic ten skewers (十只烤串). These foods aren’t just snacks — they’re tied to dating culture, social media trends, and modern youth life in China.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to use 能不…吗？ to form rhetorical questions in everyday conversations
✅ The difference between a real question and a rhetorical one
✅ Useful examples you can apply immediately
✅ Cultural insight: how Douyin’s viral food shapes dating, trends, and social pressure in China

Fun Fact:
Did you know many people buy the strawberry tower *just* to take photos?
Online jokes say it often collapses before you even reach home — the classic “looks amazing online, reality not so much.”

Question for You:
How would you say in Chinese: “It’s raining outside today, how could you play basketball?”
Write your answer in the comments!

Mini Challenge:
Create your own rhetorical question using 能…吗？
Examples:
你昨天没睡觉，今天能不困吗？
(“You didn’t sleep yesterday. How could you not be tired today?”)

天气这么冷，不穿外套能不感冒吗？
(“It’s so cold. How could you not catch a cold without a coat?”)

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today

• (00:00:00) - Chinese Language, Grade 3, HSK3 Podcast
• (00:03:09) - Rhetorical Questions in Chinese
• (00:08:09) - Probability Grammar
• (00:11:31) - Viral Chinese Food Trends
• (00:17:10) - How to write your own sentence in Chinese
• (00:18:37) - Rhetorical Questions and Cultural Topics

In today’s episode, you’ll master how to use 一…也/都…不/没 and 一点儿也不 to express emphatic negatives like “not even one” or “not at all” in Chinese. You’ll learn to construct real-life sentences such as “I didn’t bring even one yuan” or “I’m not tired at all,” and discover how these structures can make your Mandarin sound more natural and impactful.

We also dive into the fascinating world of bike-sharing in China (共享单车). From the rise of Ofo and Mobike, to the iconic bike graveyards of abandoned bikes, and the modern services like Meituan Bike and HelloBike fully integrated into China’s super apps, we cover it all.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How to use 一 + measure word + 也/都 + 不/没 + Verb to emphasise “not even one”
✅ How to use 一点儿 + 也/都 + 不 + Adjective to say “not at all”
✅ The difference between 不 and 没 in this structure
✅ Common mistakes learners make and how to avoid them
✅ Cultural insights: the rise, fall, and rebirth of bike-sharing in modern China

Fun Fact:
Did you know that in some Chinese cities, there were once huge piles of abandoned bikes known as “bike graveyards”? These became a symbol of both China’s tech boom and the challenges of rapid expansion.

Question for You:
How would you say “He didn’t drink even one cup of tea” in Chinese?
Write your answer in the comments, and we’ll check it for you!

At Hanyu Chinese School, we take pride in offering a unique approach to language learning. What makes our school special? Here are some highlights:

• Online Campus: The best virtual campus. Access study materials, interactive exercises, and additional resources from anywhere, anytime.
• Private Teachers: Our highly trained teachers provide personalized classes with an individual approach.
• Trial Classes: Not sure if this language is for you? Try our trial classes! Immerse yourself in the language and discover if it’s the right choice for you.
• Hanyu Blog: Every week, we publish informative and entertaining articles to help you improve your understanding of the language and culture.

Learn more languages with Trainlang!

Visit our websites and start your language journey today