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Expressing the unexpected with 竟然 ("jing4ran2")

竟然 jìngrán

Adverb
HSK 5

Structure

Subj. + 竟然 ⋯⋯

Definition

副词，表示事情出乎意料，让人感到惊讶。

An adverb indicating that something is unexpected and surprising.

Usage

用于强调结果或情况与预期相反，通常带有惊讶、不满或赞叹的语气。常放在动词前或句首。

Used to emphasize that an outcome or situation is contrary to expectations, often conveying surprise, dissatisfaction, or admiration. It is usually placed before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence.

Examples

  • 1 他竟然考了满分！（He actually got a perfect score!）
  • 2 这么大的雨，他竟然没带伞。（Such heavy rain, but he didn't bring an umbrella.）
  • 3 她竟然不认识自己的邻居。（She doesn't even know her own neighbor.）
  • 4 他竟然在会议上睡着了。（He actually fell asleep during the meeting.）
  • 5 这么简单的问题，他竟然不会回答。（Such a simple question, and he couldn't answer it.）

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