Is it like teasing someone? Why is the "would" here not making any sense to me? I'm a beginner and I'm often confused by the way natives use "would" in certain scenarios.
I see what you mean! I guess I consider it to always be mildly rude, but when joking around with friends, it’s appropriate to be mildly rude.
In the context of a language learning sub, I tend to err on the side of being more cautious. I wouldn’t want someone trying out their new phrase with their boss and having it go sideways on them.
“Would you like to know why he used ‘would’?” Versus “Wouldn’t you like to know why he used ‘Would’, High Beginner?”
The first one comes off as more genuine, as if I’m trying to help you understand. The second is mocking and more offensive.
The kid in the original video is mocking the guy for asking the question. He even calls the questioner “Weather Boy” in an attempt to make him feel dumb by reducing his title from “Weatherman” to “Weather boy” and for asking the question.
The context of this video is important to its humor. In real life, that boy is the weatherman's son. The way he responds "wouldn't you like to know, weather boy" is so rude to the point that it's comical. Few people would ever respond to a local news reporter that dismissively, and his response, "this kid seems sketchy", is funny because he's talking about his own son, who he knows is not actually sketchy:
it's a rude way of saying "i'm not going to tell you"
eta:
in the context OP is asking about, "wouldn't you like to know" is being rude. perhaps if my partner asked about what i was getting them for their birthday, i might say "wouldn't you like to know!" and that would be more playful.
often the advice in this & other language learning subs is to stay away from the playful/rude line until you're near-fluent. there was someone asking about using "shut up!" as a way of responding to exciting or shocking news recently, all the comments recommended not trying it out because the context and tone are super important, and the poster came back a few days later saying they really upset their friend when they tried to say it.
To add to what others have said, you'd usually use this phrase to indicate that you're not going to answer the question because you think it's intrusive or rude - the person is asking for information that they are not entitled to know.
It means “I’m not going to tell you, because your motives for wanting to know are suspicious, or contrary to my own interests”
If a random stranger in a bar asks me whether Canada will send troops to defend Estonia if the Russians invade, the appropriate answer is “wouldn’t you like to know?”
It is a phrase that means: I am not going to tell you. I know and you don't. It is often used to be rude and condescending. Change "wouldn't" to "would" and you have the opposite meaning - I can tell you if you wish.
What’s funny is I quoted this line to a non native speaker the other day and they were super confused haha! I guess the nuance of it is hard to catch lol
"wouldn't you like to know?" is often used sarcastically, but it literally is just "you'd like to know (where to buy fireworks), would you not?". this could be stated genuinely, but the kid's tone in the clip as well as common usage suggest sarcasm or intentionally gatekeeping information. like "where can i buy fireworks?" "oh, you wish you knew where to buy fireworks, don't you? joke's on you."
It's an example of an interrogative negative structure, in my view so-called "question tags" are a part of.
Usually you use an interrogative negative when you want to emphasize that you suppose the opposite. They're usually rhetorical questions and don't really need a straightforward answer. Let's see a few other (arguably simpler) examples :
- You have children too, don't you ?
- You have seen this movie, haven't you ?
- It can be helped, can't it ?
In those cases, I need confirmation of reassurance that you have children, that you have seen the movie, that it can be helped.
Without an declarative clause (outside a tag question), it works about the same, except in those cases my beliefs / hopes are implied, and I'm asking you to change my mind.
- Don't you have children too ? = I know you have children, so why I you asking me why I'm tired ?
- Haven't you seen this movie ? = I was quite sure that you saw this movie. We even talked about it some times ago. Or maybe it was Janice ?
- Can't it be helped ? = Please, tell me that it can be helped.
As others have stated, those are really context-dependent, because they're not fishing for information but rather help accomplish another purpose.
And so, with a conditional clause, it works the same.
- You would like to know, wouldn't you ? as well as
“You want to know where to buy the firework? I am not going to tell you.”
Is it like teasing someone? Why is the "would" here not making any sense to me? I'm a beginner and I'm often confused by the way natives use "would" in certain scenarios.
Yes. It acknowledges that a question was asked and communicates that the speaker is not going to answer, in a mildly rude way.
Would is a conditional, so it’s kind of like saying “I know you would like to know, if I were willing to tell you.”
And it COULD be considered rude in some company, but like 85% of the time it's meant playfully.
ETA: Like in the context of this picture, it appears to be rude.
I see what you mean! I guess I consider it to always be mildly rude, but when joking around with friends, it’s appropriate to be mildly rude.
In the context of a language learning sub, I tend to err on the side of being more cautious. I wouldn’t want someone trying out their new phrase with their boss and having it go sideways on them.
Yes, you are correct about the teasing.
“Would you like to know why he used ‘would’?” Versus “Wouldn’t you like to know why he used ‘Would’, High Beginner?”
The first one comes off as more genuine, as if I’m trying to help you understand. The second is mocking and more offensive.
The kid in the original video is mocking the guy for asking the question. He even calls the questioner “Weather Boy” in an attempt to make him feel dumb by reducing his title from “Weatherman” to “Weather boy” and for asking the question.
it's an acknowledgement that obviously you would like to know, and I know you would like to know, but I am not going to tell you.
it just rearranges "you'd like to know, wouldn't you"
The context of this video is important to its humor. In real life, that boy is the weatherman's son. The way he responds "wouldn't you like to know, weather boy" is so rude to the point that it's comical. Few people would ever respond to a local news reporter that dismissively, and his response, "this kid seems sketchy", is funny because he's talking about his own son, who he knows is not actually sketchy:
So the boy is the weatherman's son? If so then the follow-up question of "Where's your parents" directed to the boy makes it even funnier now.
Oh yes hahaha I forgot about that part
why is this how i learn he’s the weather man’s son omg
RIGHT
Same! Lmao I was thinking maybe they found someone there to do this bit
Me too! I thought it was just some smart mouthed brat!
it's a rude way of saying "i'm not going to tell you"
eta:
in the context OP is asking about, "wouldn't you like to know" is being rude. perhaps if my partner asked about what i was getting them for their birthday, i might say "wouldn't you like to know!" and that would be more playful.
often the advice in this & other language learning subs is to stay away from the playful/rude line until you're near-fluent. there was someone asking about using "shut up!" as a way of responding to exciting or shocking news recently, all the comments recommended not trying it out because the context and tone are super important, and the poster came back a few days later saying they really upset their friend when they tried to say it.
Or could be a snappy answer to a rude question.
Bahaha! I can only imagine how this conversation went.
“And then he put his arm around me! 😀😃😃”
“Shut up!!!! 😡😡”
I wouldn't necessarily say it is rude. It can be rude depending on context, but it is definitely not polite by any means.
Or a diplomatic way of saying "I'm not going to tell you."
Not diplomatic at all
The diplomatic test I use is “would I use this in a work setting with a new boss / client?” I certainly would not say that in that scenario.
To add to what others have said, you'd usually use this phrase to indicate that you're not going to answer the question because you think it's intrusive or rude - the person is asking for information that they are not entitled to know.
It means “I’m not going to tell you, because your motives for wanting to know are suspicious, or contrary to my own interests”
If a random stranger in a bar asks me whether Canada will send troops to defend Estonia if the Russians invade, the appropriate answer is “wouldn’t you like to know?”
Only if you actually know. Otherwise, "How would I know?"
Or "Hell if I know"
If you are a good spy you hide what you know or don’t know. You say “I can neither confirm nor deny” even if the reality is “I’ve no idea”
"Kid's sketchy"
Bruh, you really replying with a way harder to understand phrase? 😆
Would you not like to know? -> Do you not want to know?It is the negative form of the question "would you like to know?", which is really a polite way of asking "do you want to know?"
At least, that is what it should technically mean. In modern day usage, things are a bit different, because "would not" is contracted in the sentence.
When
would .. notis contracted towouldn't, it takes on a mocking connotation.So, it really means "Huh! Of course you want to know, but I'm not telling you"
If you want to use it in the original meaning, do not contract "would .. not"
It’s rude or playful way of saying “I’m not telling you.”
Many good answers, but it can also be used sincerely. An example would be:
"They're having a free coding class down at the college, wanna come? Wouldn't you like to know how to code?"
"You haven't eaten all day, should I make you dinner? Wouldn't you like to eat something?"
'you would like to know, wouldn't you? but i'm not going to tell you' shortened from the rhetorical question
Wouldn’t you like to know what it means.
It is a phrase that means: I am not going to tell you. I know and you don't. It is often used to be rude and condescending. Change "wouldn't" to "would" and you have the opposite meaning - I can tell you if you wish.
What’s funny is I quoted this line to a non native speaker the other day and they were super confused haha! I guess the nuance of it is hard to catch lol
it means "I am sure you would really like to know this" in a very sarcastic way, usually impying that the spaker knows the answer but won't share it.
Perhaps to really understand it, you need to have an older sibling...?
"wouldn't you like to know?" is often used sarcastically, but it literally is just "you'd like to know (where to buy fireworks), would you not?". this could be stated genuinely, but the kid's tone in the clip as well as common usage suggest sarcasm or intentionally gatekeeping information. like "where can i buy fireworks?" "oh, you wish you knew where to buy fireworks, don't you? joke's on you."
It's an example of an interrogative negative structure, in my view so-called "question tags" are a part of.
Usually you use an interrogative negative when you want to emphasize that you suppose the opposite. They're usually rhetorical questions and don't really need a straightforward answer. Let's see a few other (arguably simpler) examples :
- You have children too, don't you ?
- You have seen this movie, haven't you ?
- It can be helped, can't it ?
In those cases, I need confirmation of reassurance that you have children, that you have seen the movie, that it can be helped.
Without an declarative clause (outside a tag question), it works about the same, except in those cases my beliefs / hopes are implied, and I'm asking you to change my mind.
- Don't you have children too ? = I know you have children, so why I you asking me why I'm tired ?
- Haven't you seen this movie ? = I was quite sure that you saw this movie. We even talked about it some times ago. Or maybe it was Janice ?
- Can't it be helped ? = Please, tell me that it can be helped.
As others have stated, those are really context-dependent, because they're not fishing for information but rather help accomplish another purpose.
And so, with a conditional clause, it works the same.
- You would like to know, wouldn't you ? as well as
- Wouldn't like to know ?
reinforce the fact that I know you would.
Wouldn't you like to know, weatherboy?