你何时发现的
“When did you find out?”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
你
“When...”
你何时发现的
“When did you find out?”
“I heard iron clash in your sleeve.”
“How long have you known my secret without showing it?”
In Chinese suspense and historical narratives, asking when an opponent noticed a flaw is a classic acknowledgment of tactical defeat in a mind game.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
when / at what time
A literary or formal equivalent of '什么时候', frequently heard in historical dramas, written Chinese, or elevated speech.
discovered / found out (focusing on the timing/manner via the 'shi...de' structure)
Used in the cleft construction to inquire about the specific circumstances of an already accomplished event.
Emphasizes the specific timing or circumstance of a past occurrence as part of the 'shi...de' construction.
