摘要：
This paper mainly discusses the phenomenon in which the zenme(怎么)-rhetorical question conveys negative meanings.The formation mechanism of its negative meaning can be explained as follows.The context suggests or expresses that the action related to VP in the context is impossible or unreasonable;the rhetorical question is used by the speaker not to inquire but to intentionally question and doubt the relative manners or reasons.Under the guidance of the principle of"doubting yes and believing no",the negative meaning of zenme-rhetorical question emerges.Meanwhile,in the given context,the hearer can infer that the speaker is doubtful of the reasonability and possibility of VP and can thus understand its negative meaning with the direction of both the cooperative principle and the maxim of relevance.
