How to express unexpectedness with 竟然 (jìngrán)
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.
竟然 (jìng rán) — unexpectedly
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.
HSK 4Adverbs竟然 (jìng rán) — unexpectedly
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.
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.
Examples
他竟然迟到了。
Tā jìngrán chídào le.
He, surprisingly, was late.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “unexpectedly” in Chinese with 竟然?
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.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.