居然

jū rán

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Adverb Common

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Definitions

1. unexpectedly
2. to one's surprise
3. go so far as to

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 果然 guǒ rán 果然 guǒ rán really 居然 means unexpectedly, while 果然 means as expected.: really

Related words

1 item

• 没想到 méi xiǎng dào 没想到 méi xiǎng dào didn't expect Used to express surprise, similar to 居然 but as a phrase.: didn't expect

Synonyms

1 item

• 竟然 jìng rán 竟然 jìng rán unexpectedly Both indicate something is unexpected, but 竟然 can express stronger disbelief.: unexpectedly

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 会, 能, or 不 to express surprise about an action or possibility.

Common mistakes

Don't use 居然 in questions; it's a declarative adverb. For questions, use 难道 or 竟然吗.

Example Sentences

2 shown

他 居然 在一天内完成了这项工作，真是不可思议。

He actually finished the job in one day, it's really inconceivable.

他 居然 忘了我的生日。

He actually forgot my birthday.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 居然

• 居 居 jī: (archaic) sentence-final particle expressing a doubting attitude
• 居 居 jū: to reside
• 然 然 rán: correct