Meanings of 大吃一惊
By ear
Play it, then pick what 大吃一惊 means.
About 大吃一惊
Podcast: 大吃一惊
Podcast: 大吃一惊
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 大吃一惊
大吃一惊 (greatly surprised) vs 吃惊 (surprised) — use 大吃一惊 for a stronger sense of shock.
This expression is informal and often used in spoken language. A common mistake is using it in overly formal contexts, where simpler expressions of surprise might be more suitable. Pay attention to the tone changes: '大' (dà) is fourth tone, '吃' (chī) is first tone, '一' (yī) is first tone, and '惊' (jīng) is first tone.
While 大吃一惊 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be helpful for HSK 4 students to recognize idiomatic expressions. It connects with other expressions of emotion and reaction, so students should focus on similar idioms and their contexts.
Learners often mistakenly use 大吃一惊 to describe pleasant surprises, which is incorrect. Instead, use it for unexpected or shocking situations. For instance, saying '我大吃一惊，因为他结婚了' (I was shocked because he got married) is correct, but saying it for a birthday surprise is not appropriate.
Pronunciation of 大吃一惊
Drill the tone of 大吃一惊, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 大吃一惊 to you
Let me explain 大吃一惊 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 大吃一惊 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 大吃一惊?
Learning Lab
Knowing 大吃一惊 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say to have a surprise (idiom); shocked or startled in Chinese
“to have a surprise (idiom); shocked or startled” in Chinese is大吃一惊
大吃一惊 is an idiom that means to be greatly surprised or shocked. It is often used in contexts where someone encounters unexpected news or an astonishing event, conveying a sense of astonishment.
When to use 大吃一惊
This expression is informal and often used in spoken language. A common mistake is using it in overly formal contexts, where simpler expressions of surprise might be more suitable. Pay attention to the tone changes: '大' (dà) is fourth tone, '吃' (chī) is first tone, '一' (yī) is first tone, and '惊' (jīng) is first tone.
大吃一惊 or something close to it
大吃一惊 (greatly surprised) vs 吃惊 (surprised) — use 大吃一惊 for a stronger sense of shock.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 大吃一惊 to describe pleasant surprises, which is incorrect. Instead, use it for unexpected or shocking situations. For instance, saying '我大吃一惊，因为他结婚了' (I was shocked because he got married) is correct, but saying it for a birthday surprise is not appropriate.
Write 大吃一惊
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 大吃一惊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 大吃一惊?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 大吃一惊
This idiom is generally used for unexpected or shocking surprises, not typically for positive news.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 大吃一惊?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.