Definition
竟然 (jìngrán) is an adverb meaning 'unexpectedly, to one's surprise'. It expresses surprise that something happened despite expectations. Compared to 居然 (jūrán), which often carries a tone of disapproval ('how could it be that...'), 竟然 is more neutral and simply conveys astonishment without judgment.
adverb
unexpectedlyto one's surpriseactually (expressing disbelief)
Examples
- 竟然。Jīntiān tā jìng rán méi lái shàngbān.He didn't come to work today, which was unexpected.
- ，竟然。Wǒ yǐwéi kǎoshì hěn nán, jiéguǒ jìng rán zhème jiǎndān.I thought the exam would be hard, but it turned out to be so simple.
- ，竟然。Zhème zhòngyào de shì, tā jìng rán wàng le.He actually forgot such an important matter.
Grammar
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