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How to express unexpectedness with 竟然 (jìngrán)

Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.

Expressing the unexpected with "竟然 (jìng rán) (jìngrán)"

HSK 4Adverbs

Rule structure

竟然 (jìng rán) (jìngrán) expresses that something is unexpected, surprising, or hard to believe. It is often interchangeable with 居然 (jūrán) but slightly more formal.

Examples

他竟然迟到了。

Tā jìngrán chídào le.

He, surprisingly, was late.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing the unexpected with "竟然 (jìngrán)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.. For example: 他竟然迟到了。 — “He, surprisingly, was late.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他竟然迟到了。 — “He, surprisingly, was late.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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