冷不防 (lěng bu fáng) — suddenly, unawares

Definition

An adverb meaning 'caught unawares' — stresses that the subject had no warning or time to react, often paired with 被 to mark the affected party. Closer to 'by surprise' than simply 突然 (which just means 'suddenly' without the unprepared angle).

adverb

suddenlyunawares

Examples

，冷不防。
Tiān tū rán xià qǐ yǔ lái, wǒ lěng bu fáng bèi lín shī le.
It suddenly started raining, and I was caught off guard and got wet.
冷不防，。
Tā lěng bu fáng cóng hòu miàn pāi le wǒ yí xià, xià le wǒ yí tiào.
He suddenly patted me from behind, scaring me.
冷不防。
Xiǎo tōu lěng bu fáng shēn shǒu qiǎng zǒu le tā de bāo.
The thief suddenly reached out and snatched her bag.

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