Meaning and Usage
"惊讶" (jīng yà) means to be surprised or amazed, often by something unexpected or impressive. It is commonly used to express a strong emotional reaction to new information or events.
Common Collocations
- "感到惊讶" (gǎndào jīngyà): to feel surprised
- "令人惊讶" (lìng rén jīngyà): surprising, astonishing
- "惊讶地发现" (jīngyà de fāxiàn): to be surprised to find
Usage Notes
"惊讶" is typically used in formal and informal contexts to describe genuine surprise. It often appears with verbs like "感到" (to feel) or "让" (to make) to indicate the subject's emotional state. Avoid confusing it with "害怕" (fear) which implies a negative emotion, whereas "惊讶" is neutral or positive.
Register and Tone
The word is neutral in tone and suitable for spoken and written Mandarin. It is a common vocabulary item at HSK 6 level, indicating advanced usage.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "惊讶" with "惊恐" (jīngkǒng), which means terrified or panic-stricken. "惊讶" is about surprise, not fear.