HSK 7-9
莫非
mòfēi
Could it be that; is it possible that
Structure
莫非 + [Clause] + (不成/吗)?
How it works
The word '莫非' (mòfēi) is used in rhetorical questions to express a strong suspicion or a tentative guess about a surprising situation. It is often paired with the particle '不成' (bùchéng) at the end of the sentence to strengthen the interrogative tone.
Examples
他今天没来参加会议，莫非是生病了？
Tā jīntiān méi lái cānjiā huìyì, mòfēi shì shēngbìng le?
He didn't come to the meeting today; could it be that he is sick?
这么大的事他居然不知道，莫非你在瞒着他不成？
Zhème dà de shì tā jūrán bù zhīdao, mòfēi nǐ zài mánzhe tā bùchéng?
He actually doesn't know about such a big matter; is it possible that you are keeping it from him?
莫非这就是你拒绝他的理由？
Mòfēi zhè jiùshì nǐ jùjué tā de lǐyóu?
Could it be that this is the reason you rejected him?
Common mistakes
Students often treat '莫非' as a simple factual question word like '是不是'; however, '莫非' carries a tone of surprise, irony, or suspicion and shouldn't be used for neutral inquiries.
Tip
When you want to sound more formal or emphatic in your writing, add '不成' (bùchéng) at the end of a '莫非' sentence.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 莫非 in real Chinese
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