AdverbsHSK 4
Expressing "suddenly" with 忽然
忽然 is an adverb meaning "suddenly" or "all of a sudden," used before a verb to describe an unexpected or abrupt action.
Unlike 突然, which can also be used as an adjective or verb, 忽然 functions only as an adverb and is typically placed before the verb it modifies.
Structure
忽然 + Verb / Verb Phrase
Subject + 忽然 + Verb / Verb Phrase
Examples
- 天忽然下起了大雨。Tiān hū rán xià qǐ le dà yǔ.It suddenly started to rain heavily.
- 他忽然笑了起来。Tā hū rán xiào le qǐ lái.He suddenly started laughing.
- 走到门口，她忽然停住了。Zǒu dào mén kǒu, tā hū rán tíng zhù le.When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped.
- 我忽然想起了一件事。Wǒ hū rán xiǎng qǐ le yí jiàn shì.I suddenly remembered something.
- 狗忽然跑了出去。Gǒu hū rán pǎo le chū qù.The dog suddenly ran outside.