突
然

About

The word 突然 is formed by combining the character 突, which carries the core meaning of "sudden", "jutting out", or "unexpected", with the character 然, a classical suffix that functions to indicate a state, manner, or "the state of being such". Thus, the compound literally expresses "the state or manner of being sudden", creating an adjective meaning "sudden" or an adverb meaning "suddenly".

Example Sentences Hide

他突然离开了。

Tā tūrán líkāi le.

He suddenly left.

电话突然响了。

Diànhuà tūrán xiǎng le.

The phone suddenly rang.

在会议中，他突然提出了一个新想法。

Zài huìyì zhōng, tā tūrán tíchū le yī gè xīn xiǎngfǎ.

During the meeting, he suddenly proposed a new idea.

尽管计划得很周密，但突然发生的意外打乱了一切。

Jǐnguǎn jìhuà dé hěn zhōumì, dàn tūrán fāshēng de yìwài dǎluàn le yīqiè.

Even though it was planned meticulously, the sudden accident disrupted everything.

当所有人都以为事情会顺利解决时，情况突然出现了意想不到的转折。

Dāng suǒyǒu rén dōu yǐwéi shìqing huì shùnlì jiějué shí, qíngkuàng tūrán chūxiàn le yìxiǎng bù dào de zhuǎnzhé.

When everyone thought the matter would be resolved smoothly, the situation suddenly took an unexpected turn.

Word Definition - 突然

tū rán sudden; abrupt; unexpected

Individual Character Details

突 tū
然 rán