忽然
hū rán
Suddenly, abruptly
忽然 (hū rán) — suddenly
Subject + 忽然 (hūrán) + Verb / Adj. + (了 (le)) / 忽然 (hūrán) + Clause
HSK 43.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what忽然Action了
忽然，Clause
pale — also possible
Rule structure
The adverb 忽然 (hūrán) means “suddenly” and introduces an unexpected action or event. It comes before the verb or adjective, usually after the subject, but it can also stand at the beginning of a sentence. It often appears with 了 (le) when the event has already happened.
Rule structure
The adverb 忽然 (hūrán) means “suddenly” and introduces an unexpected action or event. It comes before the verb or adjective, usually after the subject, but it can also stand at the beginning of a sentence. It often appears with 了 (le) when the event has already happened.
Examples
我们正在吃饭，忽然下起了大雨。
Wǒmen zhèngzài chī fàn, hūrán xià qǐ le dà yǔ.
We were just eating when it suddenly started raining heavily.
他忽然想起明天有考试。
Tā hūrán xiǎngqǐ míngtiān yǒu kǎoshì.
He suddenly remembered that there is an exam tomorrow.
忽然，手机响了。
Hūrán, shǒujī xiǎng le.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
Examples
我们正在吃饭，忽然下起了大雨。
Wǒmen zhèngzài chī fàn, hūrán xià qǐ le dà yǔ.
We were just eating when it suddenly started raining heavily.
他忽然想起明天有考试。
Tā hūrán xiǎngqǐ míngtiān yǒu kǎoshì.
He suddenly remembered that there is an exam tomorrow.
忽然，手机响了。
Hūrán, shǒujī xiǎng le.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
Try this rule
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “suddenly” in Chinese with 忽然?
Use the structure: Subject + 忽然 (hūrán) + Verb / Adj. + (了 (le)) / 忽然 (hūrán) + Clause. For example: 我们正在吃饭，忽然下起了大雨。 — “We were just eating when it suddenly started raining heavily”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我们正在吃饭，忽然下起了大雨。 — “We were just eating when it suddenly started raining heavily”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules
互相 — each other
互相 (hùxiāng) + Verb Phrase
再也不 — never again
Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
甚至 — even
甚至 (shènzhì) + Verb / Noun / Clause
难道 — rhetorical question “don’t you…”
难道 (nándào)⋯⋯？
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
差点 — almost
Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate
到底 — in the end, after all
到底 (dàodǐ) + Verb / Adj.
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question