Expressing the unexpected with "jingran"

Revision as of 07:27, 18 January 2018 by ChenShishuang (talk | contribs)
Chinese-grammar-wiki-居然.jpg

To express something is unexpected, you can use the adverb 竟然 (jìngrán) 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.

Subj. + 竟然 ⋯⋯

You can also drop out the 然 and use just 竟. This can be used in spoken or written Chinese.

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 要 出发 的 时候 ,他 竟然 说 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 ,你 竟然 还 笑 ?This is something that makes people sad, but you are actually laughing?
  • 他 那么 努力 ,竟然 没 考 及格 !He is so hardworking, but, surprisingly, he didn't pass the exam.
  • 那个人 骗 了 你 的 钱 , 你 不 生 他 的 气 ?You got ripped off by that guy.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books