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HSK 5 · 果然 · 居然 · 竟然
果然, 居然, 竟然 — as predicted, or beyond belief
果然 says your guess was right; 居然 and 竟然 say it was nowhere near.
The rule
果然 = sure enough — it turned out exactly as predicted: 我说会下雨，果然下了。
居然 / 竟然 = of all things — it went against every expectation: 他居然考了第一名。
All three are ADVERBS: after the subject, before the verb.
居然 carries a note of disapproval; 竟然 is a shade more neutral and more written.
居然 / 竟然 = of all things — it went against every expectation: 他居然考了第一名。
All three are ADVERBS: after the subject, before the verb.
居然 carries a note of disapproval; 竟然 is a shade more neutral and more written.
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