大吃一惊 dàchī-yìjīng astounded
(idiom) astounded; flabbergasted; taken aback
How to remember 大吃一惊: 大 big + 吃 eat + 一 one + 惊 frighten = astounded.
Characters
How it is used
- Idiom: to be astounded/taken aback: 听到消息,我大吃一惊 (tīng dào xiāoxi, wǒ dàchī-yìjīng) I was stunned to hear the news.
- A vivid set phrase (literally 'take a big bite of shock'); functions as a predicate reacting to surprising news.
- Common and slightly colloquial; the surprise can be good or bad.
Example sentences
- 她肯定会大吃一惊的。 Tā kěndìng huì dàchīyījīng de.She is certain to be surprised.
- 我觉得你真是让人大吃一惊。 Wǒ juéde nǐ zhēnshì ràng rén dàchīyījīng.I think you're really amazing.