岂有此理 qǐyǒucǐlǐ how can this be so? (idiom)
how can this be so? (idiom); preposterous; ridiculous; absurd
How to remember 岂有此理: 岂 what + 有 have + 此 this + 理 reason = how can this be so? (idiom).
Characters
How it is used
- Indignant exclamation: 'this is outrageous / preposterous!' - 竟然这样对待客人,岂有此理! (jìngrán zhèyàng duìdài kèrén, qǐyǒucǐlǐ!) treating a guest like that - outrageous!
- A set idiom used as a standalone reaction to something unreasonable or unfair; conveys anger at absurdity.
- Somewhat literary/dramatic in flavor; 岂 is the classical rhetorical 'how could…?' Colloquial equivalents are 太不像话了 or 太过分了.