Chinese word

大吃一惊

Pronunciation

Pinyindà chī yī jīng

Meaning

  • idiombe very surprised

Example

听到这个消息我大吃一惊。tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī wǒ dà chī yì jīng

I was very surprised when I heard the news.

Illustration for 大吃一惊 (be very surprised)

More examples

比赛结果公布时，观众都大吃一惊。bǐ sài jié guǒ gōng bù shí guān zhòng dōu dà chī yì jīng

When the game results were announced, all the spectators were very surprised.

Core concept

A person is suddenly overwhelmed by surprise when reality differs sharply from expectation.

Common phrases

  • 听到...大吃一惊tīng dào dà chī yì jīng

    be very surprised to hear ___

  • 让人大吃一惊ràng rén dà chī yì jīng

    surprise people

  • 感到大吃一惊gǎn dào dà chī yì jīng

    feel very surprised

Similar words

目瞪口呆mù dèng kǒu dāi: Staring with wide eyes and an open mouth, unable to speak from shock.
大跌眼镜dà diē yǎn jìng: Feeling astonished when an unexpected event sharply overturns one's expectations.
哑口无言yá kǒu wú yán: Becoming silent and unable to speak because of surprise or confusion.

Definition in Chinese

形容因为突发的事情或出乎意料的情况而感到非常惊讶。xíng róng yīn wèi tū fā de shì qíng huò chū hū yì liào de qíng kuàng ér gǎn dào fēi cháng jīng yà

Word origin

大吃一惊 (dàchīyījīng, "be very surprised") centers on 吃惊 (chījīng, "be startled"), with 大 (dà, "greatly") strengthening the reaction within the fixed idiom.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English adjectives such as "surprising," this expression normally describes the person affected, not the news or event.

Other meanings

  • be astoundedidiom
  • be dumbfoundedidiom

Opposites

  • 不足为奇bù zú wéi qíbe nothing to be surprised aboutidiom
  • 见怪不怪jiàn guài bú guàitake unusual things in strideidiom

Word lists with this word