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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