忽然

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Character Breakdown

Usage of 忽然

The adverb 忽然 is used to describe an action or event that happens suddenly and unexpectedly. It often appears at the beginning or middle of a sentence to emphasize the abruptness of the change.

Common Collocations

These collocations highlight sudden changes in situation or thought.

Nuance and Register

忽然 carries a neutral tone and is suitable for both spoken and written Mandarin. It is more formal than some colloquial alternatives like 突然 but can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse 忽然 with 突然; both mean 'suddenly,' but 忽然 often emphasizes a more abrupt or unexpected change, sometimes with a literary or dramatic tone. 突然 is more common in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

He suddenly stood up, and everyone was very surprised.

Suddenly it started raining heavily, so we quickly looked for shelter.

He suddenly realized he forgot to bring the keys.