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HSK 4 · 难道 · 难怪

难道 and 难怪 — the rhetorical question and the penny dropping

难道 asks a question that wants no answer; 难怪 is the sound of something clicking.

The rule 难道 + question = surely not…? — the speaker already has a view and wants no answer.
难道你不知道吗? = Surely you know? (meaning: of course you do)
It usually ends in 吗 and carries reproach or surprise.
难怪 = no wonder — said the moment the reason becomes clear: 难怪他没来,原来病了。
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