Expressing the unexpected with "jingran"

Chinese-grammar-wiki-居然.jpg

When you want to express something is unexpected, you can use the adverb 竟然.It has the same meaning as 居然, however, 居然 is more 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

  • 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 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 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