Understanding "惊讶" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 惊讶
• Pinyin: jīng yà
• Literal Meaning: "Surprise" (惊) + "Astonishment" (讶)
• Primary Meaning: To be surprised, astonished, or amazed; a reaction to something unexpected or shocking.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "惊讶" is used to express a strong emotional reaction to something unexpected, surprising, or shocking. It can describe both positive and negative surprises.
• It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese.

• Nuances: While it generally means "surprise," the degree of astonishment can vary from mild to strong depending on context.

• Character Breakdown:

• 惊 (jīng): Means "surprise," "shock," or "frighten." It often conveys a sudden emotional reaction.
• 讶 (yà): Means "astonishment" or "amazement," emphasizing the feeling of being taken aback.
  Together, they form a stronger expression of surprise than either character alone.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他对这个消息感到非常惊讶。
   Pinyin: Tā duì zhège xiāoxi gǎndào fēicháng jīngyà.
   English: He was very surprised by this news.

2. Chinese: 看到她的新发型，我惊讶得说不出话来。
   Pinyin: Kàn dào tā de xīn fàxíng, wǒ jīngyà de shuō bù chū huà lái.
   English: When I saw her new hairstyle, I was so surprised I couldn’t speak.

3. Chinese: 老师惊讶地发现全班都通过了考试。
   Pinyin: Lǎoshī jīngyà de fāxiàn quán bān dōu tōngguòle kǎoshì.
   English: The teacher was surprised to find that the whole class passed the exam.

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese culture, expressing surprise openly is common, but the degree of reaction may vary depending on the situation.
• "惊讶" is often used in storytelling or daily conversations to emphasize unexpected events.
• It can also appear in formal contexts, such as news reports or speeches, to describe public reactions.

Conclusion

"惊讶" (jīng yà) is a versatile word used to express surprise or astonishment in Chinese. By understanding its characters and usage, learners can effectively convey their reactions to unexpected events. Practice using it in sentences to become more comfortable with this common expression!