The rhetorical question: “能……吗？”

In Chinese, the structure “能……吗？” (néng... ma?) is used to form a rhetorical question. It does not expect a direct answer, but rather strongly emphasizes a statement. The actual meaning is opposite to the grammatical form:

Positive Form (能 + Verb + 吗？) → Expresses a Negative Meaning ("How can you...?" / "Is it possible to...?").

Negative Form (能不 + Verb/Adjective + 吗？) → Expresses a Positive Meaning ("How could you not...?" / "Of course...").

Dialogue Examples

Example 1 (Positive Form → Negative Meaning)

为(Wèi)什(shén)么(me)我(wǒ)的(de)汉(Hàn)语(yǔ)学(xué)得(de)不(bù)好(hǎo)？

A: Why am I not learning Chinese well?

你(Nǐ)不(bù)做(zuò)作(zuò)业(yè)，也(yě)不(bù)练(liàn)习(xí)，能(néng)学(xué)好(hǎo)吗(ma)？

B: You don't do homework or practice; how can you learn it well?

Actual meaning: 不能学好 — You cannot learn it well!

Example 2 (Negative Form → Positive Meaning)

你(Nǐ)看(kàn)，我(wǒ)这(zhè)么(me)胖(pàng)，怎(zěn)么(me)办(bàn)呢(ne)？

A: Look how fat I am, what should I do?

你(Nǐ)每(měi)天(tiān)晚(wǎn)上(shang)吃(chī)了(le)饭(fàn)就(jiù)睡(shuì)觉(jiào)，也(yě)不(bù)出(chū)去(qù)走(zǒu)走(zǒu)，能(néng)不(bù)胖(pàng)吗(ma)？

B: Every night you go straight to sleep right after eating and don't even go out for a walk. How could you not gain weight?

Actual meaning: 会胖 — You will definitely gain weight!

Quick Summary

能(Néng)好(hǎo)吗(ma)？

How could it be good? (Negative: No, it won't be good)

能(Néng)不(bù)好(hǎo)吗(ma)？

How could it not be good? (Positive: Of course it will be good)