Definitions

(adjective) surprised; astonished

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "讶", whose traditional form is "訝", is etymologically composed of the semantic component "言" (speech) and the phonetic component "牙" (yá), which indicates its pronunciation. Its original meaning in classical Chinese was "to greet" or "to meet", often used in the context of welcoming a guest. Over time, this meaning became obsolete, and the character's primary signification shifted to "to be surprised" or "to wonder at", a sense derived from the expression of astonishment through speech. This semantic transition from a concrete social action to an internal state of surprise was complete by the medieval period, and the character has since consistently represented this concept of unexpected amazement.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我对这个决定很惊

Wǒ duì zhège juédìng hěn jīngyà.

I am very surprised at this decision.

她脸上露出惊的表情。

Tā liǎn shàng lù chū jīngyà de biǎoqíng.

Her face showed a surprised expression.

孩子们对魔术表演感到异。

Háizimen duì móshù biǎoyǎn gǎndào yàyì.

The children were amazed by the magic show.

听到他突然辞职,大家都很惊

Tīng dào tā tūrán cízhí, dàjiā dōu hěn jīngyà.

Hearing that he suddenly resigned, everyone was surprised.

我毫不惊他会成功。

Wǒ háo bù jīngyà tā huì chénggōng.

I am not at all surprised that he will succeed.

你为什么对此事感到异?

Nǐ wèishéme duì cǐ shì gǎndào yàyì?

Why are you surprised about this matter?

尽管事先有准备,我们还是异于他的速度。

Jǐnguǎn shìxiān yǒu zhǔnbèi, wǒmen háishì yàyì yú tā de sùdù.

Despite preparation in advance, we were still surprised by his speed.

令人异的是,这个方案竟然获得了全票通过。

Lìng rén yàyì de shì, zhège fāng'àn jìngrán huòdéle quán piào tōngguò.

What is surprising is that this proposal actually passed with all votes in favor.