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惊奇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
惊奇
jīngqí
to be amazed
HSK 7, a, 19 strokes, rank #5047, Very Hard
惊奇
jīngqí
to be surprised
HSK 7, a, 19 strokes, rank #5047, Very Hard
惊奇
jīngqí
to wonder
HSK 7, a, 19 strokes, rank #5047, Very Hard
jīngqí(jing1qi2)jing qi T1
1to be amazed
2to be surprised
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March 24, 2026
惊奇(驚奇)jīngqí(jing1qi2)
惊奇 (jīngqí) means to be amazed or surprised, often in response to something unexpected or extraordinary. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts, conveying a sense of wonder or astonishment about events, discoveries, or situations.
Strokes19Frequency#5047DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, expressions of surprise and wonder can often be linked to admiration for nature or impressive feats, reflecting a cultural appreciation for the extraordinary in everyday life. For example, witnessing a beautiful landscape or a skilled performance can evoke a sense of 惊奇.
Memory tip
Think of '惊' (jīng) as a startled person jumping back in surprise, while '奇' (qí) resembles a question mark, symbolizing wonder and curiosity. Together, they form a vivid image of someone experiencing a surprising moment that leads them to question or marvel at what they see.
Meanings of 惊奇
jīngqí(jing1qi2)
1to be amazed
2to be surprised
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 惊奇
惊奇Simplified
驚奇Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5047Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 惊奇
Podcast: 惊奇
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AI study notes for 惊奇
Quick Contrast
惊讶 (jīngyà) — use 惊奇 for a sense of wonder, while 惊讶 emphasizes shock or disbelief.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 惊奇 with similar words like 惊讶 (jīngyà), which specifically means 'astonished' and carries a more negative connotation. This word is more commonly used in informal situations, though it can appear in written contexts as well. Common collocations include '感到惊奇' (gǎndào jīngqí) meaning 'to feel amazed'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 惊奇 connects with other advanced vocabulary that expresses emotions and reactions. Students should practice using it in various contexts, especially in narratives or descriptions of surprising events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 惊奇 with 惊喜 (jīngxǐ), which means 'pleasant surprise'. For example, saying '我感到惊喜' (wǒ gǎndào jīngxǐ) when describing awe at a beautiful scene should actually use 惊奇 instead, leading to the correct phrase '我感到惊奇'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 惊奇
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惊奇 (jīngqí) means to be amazed or surprised, often in response to something unexpected or extraordinary. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts, conveying a sense of wonder or astonishment about events, discoveries, or situations.
When to use 惊奇
Be careful not to confuse 惊奇 with similar words like 惊讶 (jīngyà), which specifically means 'astonished' and carries a more negative connotation. This word is more commonly used in informal situations, though it can appear in written contexts as well. Common collocations include '感到惊奇' (gǎndào jīngqí) meaning 'to feel amazed'.
惊奇 or something close to it
惊讶 (jīngyà) — use 惊奇 for a sense of wonder, while 惊讶 emphasizes shock or disbelief.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 惊奇 with 惊喜 (jīngxǐ), which means 'pleasant surprise'. For example, saying '我感到惊喜' (wǒ gǎndào jīngxǐ) when describing awe at a beautiful scene should actually use 惊奇 instead, leading to the correct phrase '我感到惊奇'.
Write 惊奇
惊
奇
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Grammar patterns of 惊奇
惊奇 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____的是地板居然从未塌陷。
It was a marvel that the floor never gave way.
Example sentences for 惊奇 (10)
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1
惊奇的是地板居然从未塌陷。
jīngqí de shì dìbǎn jūrán cóngwèi tā xiàn。
It was a marvel that the floor never gave way.
2
她游得这么好,使他们都很惊奇.
tā yóu de zhème hǎo, shǐ tāmen dōu hěn jīngqí.
It'surprised them that she was such a fine swimmer.
3
让人感到惊奇的是，板球碰巧也是我最喜欢的运动。
ràng rén gǎndào jīngqí de shì， bǎn qiú pèngqiǎo yě shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de yùndòng。
By a curious twist of fate, cricket was also my favourite sport.
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Frequently asked questions about 惊奇
Yes, while it is commonly used in informal contexts, it can also appear in formal writing, particularly when describing surprising discoveries or events.
惊讶 specifically conveys a sense of astonishment that is often more negative or shocked, while 惊奇 carries a more neutral or positive connotation of wonder.
Synonyms include 惊讶 (jīngyà) for astonishment and 震惊 (zhènjīng) for shock, though each has different nuances.
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