Difference between revisions of "Expressing the unexpected with "jingran""
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| − | + | To express something is unexpected, you can use the adverb 竟然 after the subject. 竟然 has the same meaning as 居然, but is not as intense. | |
== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
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| − | + | == Examples == | |
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| + | Note that it can be difficult to translate the word 竟然 into an appropriate English word. Sometimes it's just a ''feeling'' that doesn't come across well in English unless you can hear the tone of voice. | ||
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* 我们 准备 出发 的 时候，他 <em>竟然</em> 说 他 不 去 了。<span class="trans">When we were ready to set out, he suddenly said he wasn't going.</span> | * 我们 准备 出发 的 时候，他 <em>竟然</em> 说 他 不 去 了。<span class="trans">When we were ready to set out, he suddenly said he wasn't going.</span> | ||
| − | * 这 是 一 件 让 人 难过 的 事情，但是 围观 的 人 <em>竟然</em> 笑 起来。<span class="trans">This is something that makes people sad, but the people watching started to laugh.</span> | + | * 这 是 一 件 让 人 难过 的 事情，但是 围观 的 人 <em>竟然</em> 笑 起来。<span class="trans">This is something that makes people sad, but the people watching actually started to laugh.</span> |
| − | * 小李 那么 | + | * 小李 那么 用功，不 知道 为什么 他 <em>竟然</em> 没 考 及格。<span class="trans">Xiao Li is a hard worker. I don't know why he didn't pass.</span> |
* 总统 <em>竟</em> 没有 对 朝 他 扔 鞋子 的 人 生气。<span class="trans">Surprisingly, the president didn't get mad at the person who threw a shoe at him.</span> | * 总统 <em>竟</em> 没有 对 朝 他 扔 鞋子 的 人 生气。<span class="trans">Surprisingly, the president didn't get mad at the person who threw a shoe at him.</span> | ||
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{{Basic Grammar|竟|C1|Subject + 竟然 + ……|我们 准备 出去 的 时候，他 <em>竟然</em> 说 他 不 去。|grammar point|ASG0D90L}} | {{Basic Grammar|竟|C1|Subject + 竟然 + ……|我们 准备 出去 的 时候，他 <em>竟然</em> 说 他 不 去。|grammar point|ASG0D90L}} | ||
{{Rel char|竟然}} | {{Rel char|竟然}} | ||
| + | {{Rel char|居然}} | ||
{{POS|Adverbs}} | {{POS|Adverbs}} | ||
{{Used for|Expressing surprise}} | {{Used for|Expressing surprise}} | ||
Revision as of 15:46, 4 June 2014
To express something is unexpected, you can use the adverb 竟然 after the subject. 竟然 has the same meaning as 居然, but is not as intense.
Structure
Like many other adverbs, 竟然 is placed after the subject. This grammar structure is usually used in spoken Chinese.
Subject + 竟然 ……
You can also drop out the 然 and use just 竟. This can be used in spoken or written Chinese.
Subject + 竟 ……
Examples
Note that it can be difficult to translate the word 竟然 into an appropriate English word. Sometimes it's just a feeling that doesn't come across well in English unless you can hear the tone of voice.
- 我们 准备 出发 的 时候，他 竟然 说 他 不 去 了。When we were ready to set out, he suddenly said he wasn't going.
- 这 是 一 件 让 人 难过 的 事情，但是 围观 的 人 竟然 笑 起来。This is something that makes people sad, but the people watching actually started to laugh.
- 小李 那么 用功，不 知道 为什么 他 竟然 没 考 及格。Xiao Li is a hard worker. I don't know why he didn't pass.
- 总统 竟 没有 对 朝 他 扔 鞋子 的 人 生气。Surprisingly, the president didn't get mad at the person who threw a shoe at him.
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (p.137)→buy
