岂有此理

qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐ

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7

Definitions

1. how can this be so? (idiom); preposterous
2. ridiculous
3. absurd

Word relationships

Synonyms

1 item

• 荒谬 huāng miù 荒谬 huāng miù absurd 表示事情不合情理: absurd

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use ‘岂有此理’ in affirmative statements; it is only an exclamation. It cannot be used like ‘这是岂有此理的’. Correct: ‘岂有此理！’ as a standalone interjection.

Formality

‘岂有此理’ is very formal/literary; in casual speech prefer ‘真是的’ or ‘太过分了’ to express indignation.

Example Sentences

1 shown

岂有此理 ，他怎么可以这样做！

How can this be so? How could he do that!

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 岂有此理

• 有 有 yǒu: to have; there is
• 此 此 cǐ: this; these
• 理 理 lǐ: texture
• 岂 岂 qǐ: how? (emphatic question)