adverb HSK 5
Traditional 驟然
suddenly · abruptly · unexpectedly
Meaning
骤然 describes something happening suddenly, abruptly, or without warning. It emphasizes the unexpected and rapid nature of a change or event. This word carries a more formal, literary tone compared to everyday words like 突然 (tūrán).
Usage
骤然 is commonly used in written Chinese, news reports, and formal speech. It often appears before verbs to indicate sudden actions or changes. While 突然 is more colloquial, 骤然 suggests a more dramatic or emphatic suddenness and is preferred in formal contexts.
Examples
- 01天气骤然变冷，气温下降了十度。, .The weather suddenly turned cold, and the temperature dropped ten degrees.
- 02会议室里骤然安静下来，所有人都在等待经理发言。, .The conference room suddenly fell silent, and everyone was waiting for the manager to speak.
Characters
Common collocations
- 骤然增加to increase suddenly
- 骤然下降to drop suddenly
- 骤然变化to change abruptly
- 骤然停止to stop suddenly
Antonyms
Origin
骤 originally referred to a horse galloping rapidly, conveying the sense of swift, sudden movement. Combined with 然, a common adverbial suffix, it creates an adverb meaning 'in a sudden manner.'