Definition
竟 (jìng) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'unexpectedly, actually' — it expresses surprise that something happened. It is more concise and written than 竟然 (jìngrán), the common spoken form, and unlike 居然 (jūrán), which often carries a tone of disapproval or disbelief that something should not have happened.
adverb
unexpectedlyactually (expressing surprise that something happened or is the case)
Easily confused
- 暗ànlook-alikedark (lacking light)
- 经jīngsound-aliketo pass through; to go through (a place, time, or experience)
- 敬jìngsound-aliketo respect, to show respect to
- 静jìngsound-alikestill, calm, quiet; not moving
- 精jīngsound-alikeskilled; proficient; refined (of ability)
- 井jǐngsound-alikewell (water well)
- 净jìngsound-alike(adjective) clean
- 鲸jīngsound-alikewhale
- 茎jīngsound-alikestem, stalk
Examples
- 竟，。Jīntiān tā jìng méiyǒu lái shàngkè, zhēn qíguài.He didn't come to class today, which is really strange.
- ，竟！Zhème nán de kǎoshì, tā jìng kǎo le dì yī míng!She actually got first place in such a difficult exam!
- 。Tā jìng gǎn zài huìyì shàng tíchū fǎnduì yìjiàn.He actually dared to raise an objection at the meeting.
Grammar
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