Chinese · Emotions & Feelings
惊讶
jīngyà
Surprised
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Feeling sudden wonder at something unexpected.
Example
听到这个消息，大家都很惊讶。
Everyone was surprised to hear the news.
Etymology
'惊讶' (jīngyà) is derived from '惊' (jīng), which means 'to startle' or 'to amaze,' and '讶' (yà), meaning 'to be astonished.' The combination reflects the sensation of unexpected surprise, indicating a modern linguistic development into everyday usage.
How & Where It’s Used
'惊讶' is typically used in informal speech and writing, conveying reactions in both casual conversations and more literary contexts, and is widely recognized in all Mandarin-speaking regions.