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dà 大 chī 吃 yī 一 jīng 惊

大吃一惊 dà chī yī jīng

to be greatly surprised; taken aback

Literally: big eat one fright

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Common in Ming dynasty vernacular fiction.

How to use it

Predicate, often after 让人/使人; neutral. Often 听了大吃一惊.

Example sentences

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  1. 听到这个消息，我大吃一惊。
    Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, wǒ dà chī yī jīng.
    When I heard this news, I was greatly surprised.
    hear this news, I big eat one fright
  2. 看到房间里乱七八糟，妈妈大吃一惊。
    Kàndào fángjiān lǐ luàn qī bā zāo, māma dà chī yī jīng.
    Seeing the room in a total mess, Mum was shocked.
    see room inside messy seven eight bad, mother big eat one fright

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