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居然

jū rán
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Adverb Common

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Definitions

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

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
果然
guǒ rán

really

居然 means unexpectedly, while 果然 means as expected.

Related words

1 item
没想到
méi xiǎng dào

didn't expect

Used to express surprise, similar to 居然 but as a phrase.

Synonyms

1 item
竟然
jìng rán

unexpectedly

Both indicate something is unexpected, but 竟然 can express stronger disbelief.

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
jī

(archaic) sentence-final particle expressing a doubting attitude

居
jū

to reside

然
rán

correct