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突如其来 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
突如其来tūrúqíláito arise abruptlyHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #17589, Very Hard
突如其来tūrúqíláito arrive suddenlyHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #17589, Very Hard
突如其来tūrúqíláihappening suddenlyHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #17589, Very Hard
tūrúqílái(tu1ru2qi2lai2) T1
  1. 1to arise abruptly
  2. 2to arrive suddenly
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March 24, 2026

突如其来(突如其來)tūrúqílái(tu1ru2qi2lai2)

突如其来 is an idiom that means something occurs unexpectedly or suddenly, often catching people by surprise. It is commonly used to describe events or situations that happen without warning, emphasizing the abruptness of the occurrence.

Strokes30Frequency#17589DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of sudden events is often linked to themes of fate and unpredictability, reflecting a worldview that acknowledges the unexpected nature of life. This idiom might be used in discussions about natural disasters or sudden life changes.

Memory Tip

Imagine a thunderstorm that suddenly bursts forth from a clear sky, startling everyone below. The characters 突 (tū) and 如 (rú) can be visualized as 'thunder' and 'like', while 其 (qí) and 来 (lái) suggest 'coming' unexpectedly, creating a vivid image of an abrupt arrival.

Meanings of 突如其来

tūrúqílái(tu1ru2qi2lai2)
1to arise abruptly
2to arrive suddenly
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About 突如其来

突如其来Simplified
突如其來Traditional
30Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 突如其来

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Podcast: 突如其来

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AI Study Notes for 突如其来

Quick Contrast

突发 (tūfā) - use 突如其来 for emphasis on the unexpectedness of an event; 突发 focuses more on the sudden onset.

Usage Notes

This idiom is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more commonly found in written language. Be cautious with tone; the phrase should not be used lightly, as it conveys a sense of urgency and seriousness. Collocations include '突如其来的消息' (sudden news) or '突如其来的变化' (sudden changes).

HSK Study Tips

Although not a specific HSK vocabulary term, 突如其来 can be encountered in advanced texts. It's beneficial for learners to recognize idiomatic expressions and their nuances at higher levels, as they often convey meaning more succinctly than literal translations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases. For example, saying '突然如来' (tūrán rú lái) is incorrect; the proper form is '突如其来'. Additionally, using it in contexts where the event is not truly unexpected can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 突如其来

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Idiom Spotlight: 突如其来

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:suddenly as it comes

Component Characters

突tūto dash
HSK 59 strokes穴
View full entry
如rúas
HSK 56 strokes女
View full entry
其qíhis
HSK 58 strokes八
View full entry
来láito come
HSK 17 strokes木
View full entry

How to say to arise abruptly in Chinese

“to arise abruptly” in Chinese is突如其来tūrúqílái

突如其来 is an idiom that means something occurs unexpectedly or suddenly, often catching people by surprise. It is commonly used to describe events or situations that happen without warning, emphasizing the abruptness of the occurrence.

When to use 突如其来

This idiom is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more commonly found in written language. Be cautious with tone; the phrase should not be used lightly, as it conveys a sense of urgency and seriousness. Collocations include '突如其来的消息' (sudden news) or '突如其来的变化' (sudden changes).

突如其来 or something close to it

突发 (tūfā) - use 突如其来 for emphasis on the unexpectedness of an event; 突发 focuses more on the sudden onset.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse this idiom with similar phrases. For example, saying '突然如来' (tūrán rú lái) is incorrect; the proper form is '突如其来'. Additionally, using it in contexts where the event is not truly unexpected can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 突如其来

突
如
其
来

Practice writing 突如其来 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 突如其来

No, it can describe both negative and positive unexpected events, such as a surprise party.

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