居然 / 竟然
HSK 4- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to express surprise at something unexpected, contrary to normal expectations.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Both 居然 (jūrán) and 竟然 (jìngrán) are adverbs used to emphasize surprise when something happens completely contrary to one's thoughts or expectations. They carry a similar meaning to "actually," "and yet," or "unexpectedly."
居然 is more commonly used in spoken language, while 竟然 is slightly more formal, but in most cases they are interchangeable.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这么难的题，他居然做出来了。繁: 這麼難的題，他居然做出來了。Zhème nán de tí, tā jūrán zuò chūlái le.
He actually managed to solve such a difficult problem.
- 他竟然忘了我的生日！Tā jìngrán wàng le wǒ de shēngrì!
He actually forgot my birthday!
- 你居然还没吃饭？繁: 你居然還沒吃飯？Nǐ jūrán hái méi chīfàn?
You mean you still haven't eaten yet?
- 外面竟然下雪了。Wàimiàn jìngrán xià xuě le.
It's actually snowing outside.
- 他居然会说越南语。繁: 他居然會說越南語。Tā jūrán huì shuō Yuènányǔ.
He can actually speak Vietnamese.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他忘了我的生日竟然。Correct:他竟然忘了我的生日。
居然 and 竟然 are adverbs that must come immediately before the verb or adjective they modify; they cannot stand at the end of a sentence.
- Wrong:我居然很高兴见到你。Correct:我很高兴见到你。
Use only for unexpected situations. Meeting friends and being happy is ordinary, so 居然 need not be used to express surprise.