adverb HSK 5
suddenly · abruptly · unexpectedly
Meaning
猛然 describes actions or realizations that happen suddenly, forcefully, or with a sense of surprise. It emphasizes the abruptness and sometimes the intensity of the change or action, often used to describe sudden physical movements or moments of realization.
Usage
Commonly used in narrative writing and spoken language to add dramatic effect. It often appears before verbs to describe sudden movements (猛然站起) or mental realizations (猛然发现). More emphatic than simple 突然 (suddenly), suggesting both surprise and forcefulness. Frequently used in literary contexts.
Examples
- 01他猛然站起来，冲出了房间。, .He suddenly stood up and rushed out of the room.
- 02我猛然发现自己走错了方向。.I suddenly realized I had gone in the wrong direction.
Characters
Common collocations
- 猛然发现suddenly discover/realize
- 猛然站起suddenly stand up
- 猛然回头suddenly turn one's head back
- 猛然醒悟suddenly realize/wake up to
Antonyms
Origin
猛 originally meant 'fierce' or 'violent' (like a fierce dog), while 然 is a classical suffix meaning 'in that manner.' Together they create an adverb meaning 'in a fierce/sudden manner.'