岂有此理

• Pinyin: qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 岂 = 山 + 己 (rhetorical 'how?'); 有 = 月 + 一 (have/exist); 此 = 止 + 匕 (this); 理 = 王 + 里 (reason)

Meaning

How outrageous! How can this be? An exclamation of strong indignation at something utterly unreasonable or unjust.

A set phrase expressing moral outrage at a flagrant violation of reason or propriety. Stronger than 不合理 — carries intense emotional force. Common in heated arguments, formal protests, and literary expressions of indignation.

Examples

1. 他竟然在众目睽睽之下贪污公款，真是岂有此理！ He actually embezzled public funds right in front of everyone—this is outrageous!
2. 学生还未毕业便被要求无偿加班，实属岂有此理，令人愤慨。 Students are being required to work unpaid overtime before they even graduate—it's completely unreasonable and infuriating.
3. 这份合同对乙方百般苛刻，岂有此理，当即遭到强烈反对。 This contract is harsh on Party B in every way—how can that be reasonable? It was immediately met with strong opposition.

Usage Guide

Context: argument, protest, indignation

Tone: indignant

Do Say

• 当众侮辱他人人格，岂有此理，此事必须严肃处理！(To publicly insult someone's dignity is utterly outrageous — this matter must be dealt with seriously!)
• 一个政府机关竟然对公民的合理诉求置若罔闻，真是岂有此理。(It is utterly preposterous that a government agency should turn a deaf ear to citizens' reasonable appeals.)

Don't Say

• 这道菜不好吃，岂有此理 — 岂有此理 requires a moral or ethical violation; avoid using it for minor personal inconveniences

Origin & History

岂 (how could it be?) + 有 (exist) + 此 (this) + 理 (reason) — literally 'how could there be such reason?'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal