Chinese word

岂有此理

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǐ yǒu cǐ lǐ

Meaning

  • interjectionoutrageous

Example

他无缘无故指责我，岂有此理！tā wú yuán wú gù zhǐ zé wǒ qí yóu cí lǐ

He accused me for no reason. That's outrageous!

Illustration for 岂有此理 (outrageous)

More examples

在会议上，他提出取消福利的建议，大家纷纷喊道：岂有此理！zài huì yì shàng tā tí chū qǔ xiāo fú lì de jiàn yì dà jiā fēn fēn hǎn dào qí yóu cí lǐ

At the meeting, he suggested canceling the benefits, and everyone shouted, "That's outrageous!"

Core concept

A verbal line drawn against conduct that violates basic fairness or common sense.

Common phrases

  • 真是岂有此理！zhēn shì qí yóu cí lǐ

    really outrageous

  • 简直岂有此理！jiǎn zhí qí yóu cí lǐ

    simply outrageous

Similar words

怎么可能zěn me kě néng: A strong exclamation saying that something cannot possibly happen, showing surprise or disbelief.
不可能bù kě néng: A blunt exclamation declaring that something is impossible in reality.
开什么玩笑kāi shén me wán xiào: An exclamation of disbelief and anger at something so absurd that it seems like a joke.
哪有这回事nǎ yǒu zhè huí shì: A forceful exclamation denying that an alleged event or situation is true, with surprise.

Definition in Chinese

常作为感叹用语，用以指责或表示对不合理事情的强烈否定与难以置信。cháng zuò wéi gǎn tàn yòng yǔ yòng yǐ zhǐ zé huò biǎo shì duì bù hé lǐ shì qíng de qiáng liè fǒu dìng yǔ nán yǐ zhì xìn

Word origin

岂 (qǐ, "how could") + 有 (yǒu, "exist") + 此 (cǐ, "this") + 理 (lǐ, "reason") asks how such a thing could make sense, giving the idiom its force as a protest.

Usage tips

  • The exclamatory form lets this idiom stand alone after an objection, making it a complete reaction in everyday dialogue.

Other meanings

  • unacceptableinterjection
  • incredibleinterjection

Word lists with this word