While not tied to ancient philosophy like some Chinese terms, 惊人 (jīngrén) plays a significant role in modern Chinese communication, especially in media and advertising. It's a power word used to create emphasis and grab attention. News headlines in China frequently use 惊人 to highlight the scale of an event, from economic growth to natural disasters. A useful comparison in Western culture is the use of “jaw-dropping,” “mind-blowing,” or “staggering.” However, 惊人 feels slightly more neutral and versatile. While “jaw-dropping” is almost always positive, and “staggering” often relates to numbers (staggering costs, staggering losses), 惊人 (jīngrén) can be applied to almost any noun to indicate its extremity, be it positive, negative, or neutral. For example:
Its frequent use reflects a cultural tendency in modern communication to use strong, impactful language to convey the magnitude of China's rapid development and the dramatic events that accompany it.
惊人 (jīngrén) is an adjective used to modify a noun, almost always with the particle 的 (de). The common structure is: 惊人 + 的 + Noun (e.g., 惊人的速度 - an astonishing speed) It can also be used as a predicate with 是…的 or after a verb with 得.
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 惊人 (jīngrén) with 惊讶 (jīngyà).
Common Mistake Example: