惊奇

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 孩子对世界充满惊奇。▶ —
   The child is full of wonder at the world.
2. 魔术表演令人惊奇。▶ —
   The magic show fills people with wonder.

Collocations

Mnemonic

惊 jīng "to be startled" + 奇 qí "strange, wondrous": startled by something wondrous, i.e. to wonder, to marvel. Korean renders it as "to marvel, wonder". It is surprise mixed with curious admiration at the novel and rare (充满惊奇 full of wonder). Unlike 惊讶 (surprise at the unexpected), 惊奇 carries a stronger positive sense of novelty and curiosity. 奇 means "strange, wondrous" (奇怪, 神奇); 惊 means "to be startled".

Related

Quick check

1. What is the nuance of 惊奇 versus 惊讶?

   • positive wonder mixed with curiosity
   • a startled jolt at the unexpected
   • trembling in fear
   • being bored