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March 24, 2026
居然jūrán(ju1ran2)
居然 (jūrán) is used to express surprise or disbelief at an unexpected situation or outcome. It often implies that something is beyond what was anticipated, and it is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to convey astonishment.
Frequency#1043DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can reflect a sense of humility or modesty, as it shows that one did not expect such outcomes. The use of 居然 can often indicate a deeper emotional response, reflecting societal values around humility and surprise.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting in a居 (jū) house, unexpectedly finding a giant ran (ran) like a rabbit inside. The surprise of finding such an unusual creature in their home highlights the meaning of 居然.
Meanings of 居然
jūrán(ju1ran2)
1unexpectedly
2to one's surprise
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About 居然
居然Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#1043Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 居然
Podcast: 居然
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AI Study Notes for 居然
Quick Contrast
竟然 (jìngrán) — use 居然 when expressing surprise at an unexpected outcome, while 竟然 emphasizes the surprising nature of the situation more strongly.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting in a居 (jū) house, unexpectedly finding a giant ran (ran) like a rabbit inside. The surprise of finding such an unusual creature in their home highlights the meaning of 居然.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 居然 with words like 真 (zhēn) or 竟然 (jìngrán), which also express surprise but with different nuances. 居然 is more informal and is often used in casual conversations. Be mindful of using the correct tone; the first syllable is pronounced with a high-level tone while the second is pronounced with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 居然 connects well with other expressions of surprise or unexpectedness like 竟然 (jìngrán). Focus on practicing sentences that illustrate its use in context, enhancing your comprehension of how it fits into conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can reflect a sense of humility or modesty, as it shows that one did not expect such outcomes. The use of 居然 can often indicate a deeper emotional response, reflecting societal values around humility and surprise.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 居然 by placing it in contexts where more formal expressions of surprise are required. For example, saying '居然在会议上' (jūrán zài huìyì shàng) instead of using a more formal expression would be inappropriate. Ensure you're using it in informal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 居然
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Grammar Patterns of 居然
居然 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
zhēn méi xiǎng dào tā duì dé guó zhèng zài fā shēng de shì qíng jū rán yī wú suǒ zhī。
Her obliviousness of what was happening in Germany seems extraordinary.
8
天哪, 我居然也有得意的时候.
tiān nǎ, , wǒ jū rán yě yǒu dé yì de shí.
God, I have my moments.
9
那个捡破烂的从街上东捡西捡,居然积攒了一笔可观的家产.
nà gè jiǎn pò làn de cóng jiē shàng dōng jiǎn xī jiǎn, , jū rán jī zǎn le yī bǐ kě guān de jiā.
That rag - picker scraped together quiet a property out of the street.
10
她有点小题大做了,这活居然花了她五个小时!
tā yǒu diǎn xiǎo tí dà zuò le, , zhè huó jū rán huā le tā wǔ gè xiǎo!
She made a meal of that job — it took her five hours!
Cultural Notes for 居然
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise can reflect a sense of humility or modesty, as it shows that one did not expect such outcomes. The use of 居然 can often indicate a deeper emotional response, reflecting societal values around humility and surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions about 居然
While 居然 is primarily used in informal contexts, it can appear in personal letters or casual reports. However, it's best to avoid it in formal essays.
Yes, 居然 is frequently used in everyday conversations to express surprise, making it a useful word to practice.
Both express surprise, but 居然 is more casual, while 竟然 can convey a stronger sense of astonishment.
