竟然

jìng rán

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adverb Common

Definitions

1. unexpectedly
2. to one's surprise
3. in spite of everything
4. in that crazy way
5. actually
6. to go as far as to

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 果然 guǒ rán 果然 guǒ rán really ‘竟然’表意外，而‘果然’表在意料之中: really

Synonyms

1 item

• 居然 jū rán 居然 jū rán unexpectedly 两者都表示出乎意料，但‘竟然’更强调与预期完全相反，语气更强: unexpectedly

Usage notes

Common mistakes

不能与表示确信的词语如‘一定’连用，因为‘竟然’已含意外语气。

Example Sentences

2 shown

他 竟然 忘了我的生日。

He actually forgot my birthday.

这个新手 竟然 敢跟老师傅叫板。

This newcomer actually dares to challenge the old master.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 竟然

• 竟 竟 jìng: unexpectedly
• 然 然 rán: correct