竟
jìng
Actually; unexpectedly
竟 (jìng) vs 果真 (guǒ zhēn) — surprise vs confirmation
竟 (jìng) + Verb Phrase (unexpected result) / 果真 (guǒzhēn) + Verb Phrase (confirmation of a guess)
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what竟Action
Who / what果真Action
Rule structure
竟 (jìng) (jìng) marks an event contrary to expectation: “unexpectedly, to one’s surprise”. 果真 (guǒzhēn) confirms a prior belief: 听说他很认真 (tīng shuō tā hěn rèn zhēn)，果真如此 (guǒ zhēn rú cǐ) (Tīngshuō tā hěn rènzhēn, guǒzhēn rúcǐ), “He was said to be conscientious, and indeed he is”. These are two different relations to expectations, best illustrated with separate examples.
Rule structure
竟 (jìng) (jìng) marks an event contrary to expectation: “unexpectedly, to one’s surprise”. 果真 (guǒzhēn) confirms a prior belief: 听说他很认真 (tīng shuō tā hěn rèn zhēn)，果真如此 (guǒ zhēn rú cǐ) (Tīngshuō tā hěn rènzhēn, guǒzhēn rúcǐ), “He was said to be conscientious, and indeed he is”. These are two different relations to expectations, best illustrated with separate examples.
Examples
我以为他不会来，他竟来了。
Wǒ yǐwéi tā bú huì lái, tā jìng lái le.
I thought he would not come, yet he did.
Examples
我以为他不会来，他竟来了。
Wǒ yǐwéi tā bú huì lái, tā jìng lái le.
I thought he would not come, yet he did.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “surprise vs confirmation” in Chinese with 竟 vs 果真?
Use the structure: 竟 (jìng) + Verb Phrase (unexpected result) / 果真 (guǒzhēn) + Verb Phrase (confirmation of a guess). For example: 我以为他不会来，他竟来了。 — “I thought he would not come, yet he did”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我以为他不会来，他竟来了。 — “I thought he would not come, yet he did”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
向来 — always previously
Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.
偏 — contrary to expectations
Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)
无非 — nothing but
无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)
何必 — why bother
何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)
按理 — logically speaking
按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)
不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement
不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)
照常 — as usual
Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb
碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence
Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase