e.g., 这个价格让我很吃惊 (Zhège jiàgé ràng wǒ hěn chījīng) - This price really surprised me.
===== Example Sentences =====
* Example 1:
* 听到这个消息，我非常吃惊。
* Pinyin: Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, wǒ fēicháng chījīng.
* English: I was extremely surprised to hear this news.
* Analysis: A classic example showing 吃惊 used as an adjective, modified by the adverb 非常 (fēicháng) to intensify the emotion.
* Example 2:
* 他的突然出现，让我大吃一惊。
* Pinyin: Tā de tūrán chūxiàn, ràng wǒ dà chī yī jīng.
* English: His sudden appearance made me jump in surprise.
* Analysis: This uses the common set phrase 大吃一惊 (dà chī yī jīng), which means “to be greatly shocked.” It's a stronger version of the basic term.
* Example 3:
* 你看起来一点儿也不吃惊。
* Pinyin: Nǐ kàn qǐlái yīdiǎnr yě bù chījīng.
* English: You don't look surprised at all.
* Analysis: This shows how to use 吃惊 in the negative. “一点儿也不” (yīdiǎnr yě bù) means “not even a little bit.”
* Example 4:
* 让我吃惊的是，他竟然同意了。
* Pinyin: Ràng wǒ chījīng de shì, tā jìngrán tóngyì le.
* English: What surprised me was that he actually agreed.
* Analysis: This sentence structure, “让我吃惊的是…” (ràng wǒ chījīng de shì…), is perfect for emphasizing the specific cause of the surprise. 竟然 (jìngrán) adds a sense of “unexpectedly” or “to my surprise.”
* Example 5:
* 昨晚的巨响把我吃了一惊。
* Pinyin: Zuówǎn de jùxiǎng bǎ wǒ chī le yī jīng.
* English: The loud noise last night startled me.
* Analysis: This sentence uses the verbal pattern “吃了一惊” (chī le yī jīng) and a 把 (bǎ) construction to show what caused the shock.
* Example 6:
* 看到我的新发型，你吃惊吗？
* Pinyin: Kàndào wǒ de xīn fàxíng, nǐ chījīng ma?
* English: Are you surprised to see my new hairstyle?
* Analysis: A simple question form, great for daily conversation.
* Example 7:
* 我很吃惊他会做出这样的决定。
* Pinyin: Wǒ hěn chījīng tā huì zuòchū zhèyàng de juédìng.
* English: I'm very surprised that he would make such a decision.
* Analysis: Here, 吃惊 is followed by a clause that explains the content of the surprise.
* Example 8:
* 他的中文进步速度之快，实在叫人吃惊。
* Pinyin: Tā de Zhōngwén jìnbù sùdù zhī kuài, shízài jiào rén chījīng.
* English: The speed of his progress in Chinese is truly astonishing.
* Analysis: “叫人吃惊” (jiào rén chījīng) is another way to say “makes people surprised” or “is surprising.” It's often used to describe a general or impersonal observation.
* Example 9:
* 当时我只是有点儿吃惊，但并不害怕。
* Pinyin: Dāngshí wǒ zhǐshì yǒudiǎnr chījīng, dàn bìng bù hàipà.
* English: At that time, I was just a little startled, but not scared.
* Analysis: This shows how to qualify the degree of surprise with “有点儿” (yǒudiǎnr - a little bit) and contrasts it with another emotion, 害怕 (hàipà - to be scared).
* Example 10:
* 公司的业绩这么好，连老板自己都感到很吃惊。
* Pinyin: Gōngsī de yèjì zhème hǎo, lián lǎobǎn zìjǐ dōu gǎndào hěn chījīng.
* English: The company's performance was so good that even the boss himself felt very surprised.
* Analysis: Demonstrates the use of “感到吃惊” (gǎndào chījīng), which means “to feel surprised.” The “连…都…” (lián…dōu…) structure adds emphasis (“even…”).
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
* 吃惊 (chījīng) vs. 惊讶 (jīngyà): This is the most common point of confusion.
* 吃惊 (chījīng): More visceral, immediate, and common in spoken language. It often implies being startled or taken aback. It's the feeling of “Whoa!”
* 惊讶 (jīngyà): Slightly more formal and written. It describes a more cognitive state of amazement or wonder that can last longer. It’s closer to “impressed” or “amazed.” You might be 吃惊 by a sudden noise, but you would be 惊讶 by a friend's hidden artistic talent.
* Example: Your friend suddenly announces they're moving. Your first reaction is 吃惊. Later, as you think about their courage, you might feel 惊讶.