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HSK 7–9

骤然 (zhòu rán) vs 毅然 (yì rán) — sudden vs resolute action

骤然 (zhòurán) + Verb of change; 毅然 (yìrán) / 断然 (duànrán) + Verb of decision

HSK 7–93.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what骤然Action
Who / what毅然断然Action

Rule structure

骤然 (zhòu rán) marks a sudden, sharp change, while 毅然 (yì rán) and 断然 (duàn rán) mark firm resolve. 毅然 (yì rán) often sounds approving, 断然 (duàn rán) is more neutral and firm.

Examples

听到这个消息，他毅然决定回国。

Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā yìrán juédìng huí guó.

After hearing the news, he decided without hesitation to return to his home country.

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Words from this rule

毅然

yì rán

Resolutely, firmly

断

duàn

To break, to cut off

听

tīng

To listen, to hear

到

dào

To arrive, to reach (resultative complement after verbs)

这个

zhè ge

This, this one

消息

xiāoxi

News, message

他

tā

He

决定

juédìng

To decide, decision

回

huí

To return

国

guó

Country

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “sudden vs resolute action” in Chinese with 骤然 vs 毅然?

Use the structure: 骤然 (zhòurán) + Verb of change; 毅然 (yìrán) / 断然 (duànrán) + Verb of decision. For example: 听到这个消息，他毅然决定回国。 — “After hearing the news, he decided without hesitation to return to his home country”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

听到这个消息，他毅然决定回国。 — “After hearing the news, he decided without hesitation to return to his home country”.

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