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March 24, 2026
惊诧(驚詫)jīngchà(jing1cha4)
惊诧 (jīngchà) means to be surprised or amazed, often to the point of being stunned. It is commonly used in contexts where something unexpected occurs, evoking a strong emotional reaction. The word can convey a sense of astonishment, indicating that the surprise is significant or noteworthy.
Frequency#34093DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise is often tied to social etiquette; being overly surprised can sometimes be seen as a lack of composure. Therefore, the use of 惊诧 can reflect both personal feelings and social expectations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (惊) jolted out of their chair by a shocking news (诧), their eyes wide open in disbelief. The character 惊 resembles a person in shock, while 诧 sounds like 'cha', which can remind you of the surprise you feel when you trip or stumble unexpectedly.
Meanings of 惊诧
jīngchà(jing1cha4)
1to be surprised
2to be amazed
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About 惊诧
惊诧Simplified
驚詫Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 惊诧
Podcast: 惊诧
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AI Study Notes for 惊诧
Quick Contrast
惊讶 (jīngyà) - use 惊诧 when the surprise is more intense or overwhelming than just being surprised.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (惊) jolted out of their chair by a shocking news (诧), their eyes wide open in disbelief. The character 惊 resembles a person in shock, while 诧 sounds like 'cha', which can remind you of the surprise you feel when you trip or stumble unexpectedly.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 惊诧 in more formal contexts, as it carries a stronger emotional weight than just being surprised. It is often paired with words like '消息' (xiāoxi, news) to describe surprising news. Avoid confusing it with similar words like '惊讶' (jīngyà), which can be more neutral.
HSK Study Tips
Since 惊诧 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, focus on its components to better understand related words like 惊 (jīng, to frighten) and 讶 (yà, to be surprised). This will help build a stronger vocabulary around feelings and reactions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise is often tied to social etiquette; being overly surprised can sometimes be seen as a lack of composure. Therefore, the use of 惊诧 can reflect both personal feelings and social expectations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 惊诧 with similar terms, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我对这个消息感到惊讶' (I feel surprised about this news) instead of using 惊诧 can dilute the intended emphasis on the surprise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 惊诧
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Cultural Notes for 惊诧
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing surprise is often tied to social etiquette; being overly surprised can sometimes be seen as a lack of composure. Therefore, the use of 惊诧 can reflect both personal feelings and social expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 惊诧
Yes, but it is more common in written language or formal contexts. In casual conversation, you might prefer simpler expressions.
Not exactly; while both mean 'surprised,' 惊诧 carries a stronger emotional connotation of being stunned.
The first syllable '惊' is pronounced with a high level tone (1st tone), and the second syllable '诧' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone).
