Definition
大吃一惊 is a fixed idiom meaning 'to be greatly shocked' — it is more intense than the verb 吃惊 (chī jīng, 'to be startled'). Unlike 吃惊, which can be used flexibly, 大吃一惊 always appears as a complete phrase and often describes a sudden, strong reaction.
phrase
to be greatly shockedto be startled
Examples
- 大吃一惊。Tā tīngdào zhège xiāoxī dà chī-yì jīng.He was greatly shocked when he heard this news.
- ,大吃一惊。Kàndào yǎnqián de jǐngxiàng, suǒyǒu rén dōu dà chī-yì jīng.Seeing the scene before them, everyone was shocked.
- 大吃一惊,。Kǎoshì jiéguǒ ràng tā dà chī-yì jīng, yīnwèi tā yǐwéi zìjǐ bù jígé.The exam results shocked him because he thought he had failed.
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