竟然jìng ránunexpectedly

1. 1.

   unexpectedlyadverb

2. 2.

   to one's surpriseadverb

3. 3.

   to go as far as toadverb

• 竟unexpectedly
• 然-ly

竟然 often goes right before the verb or adjective and adds a tone of surprise; it can be used for good or bad surprises.

1. HSK 7–9

   他竟然忘了我的名字。

   Tā jìngrán wàng le wǒ de míngzi.

   He actually forgot my name.

2. HSK 7–9

   这个问题竟然这么简单。

   Zhège wèntí jìngrán zhème jiǎndān.

   This question is surprisingly simple.

3. HSK 7–9

   外面竟然下雪了。

   Wàimiàn jìngrán xià xuě le.

   To my surprise, it has started snowing outside.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   小王这次考试竟然考了第一。

   Xiǎo Wáng zhè cì kǎoshì jìngrán kǎo le dì-yī.

   To my surprise, Xiao Wang came first in the exam this time.

2. 
   Speaker B:

   我也听说了，他最近每天都去图书馆。

   Wǒ yě tīngshuō le, tā zuìjìn měi tiān dōu qù túshūguǎn.

   I heard that too; he has been going to the library every day lately.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   看来努力真的有用。

   Kànlái nǔlì zhēn de yǒuyòng.

   It seems hard work really pays off.

4. 
   Speaker B:

   对，我也得努力了。

   Duì, wǒ yě děi nǔlì le.

   Right, I'd better work hard too.

• Free HSK 3 level testSee which HSK 3.0 level your vocabulary matches.
• HSK 4 word listEvery word at this level, with examples.
• HSK 3.0 guideHow the nine levels and three bands work.

Related words

• 仍然réng ránstill; as before; yetHSK 4
• 究竟jiū jìngafter all; when all is said and doneHSK 4
• 既然jì ránsince; as; this being the caseHSK 4
• 自然zì ránnatureHSK 4
• 当然dāng ráncertainly; of course; without doubtHSK 3
• 然后rán hòuthen; after that; afterwardsHSK 3

Browse every entry in the Chinese word dictionary.