suddenly; all of a sudden
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadverb
suddenly; all of a sudden; unexpectedly
Used to describe an action or event that happens quickly and surprisingly. Can often be used interchangeably with '突然' in many contexts, but '忽然' emphasizes the suddenness of the moment, while '突然' can also imply abruptness or shock. Often placed before the verb or at the beginning of a clause.
Tā他
zhèng正
yào要
chū出
qù去
，
hū忽
rán然
xià下
qǐ起
dà大
yǔ雨
lái来
le了
。
He was just about to go out when it suddenly started raining heavily.
Dēng灯
guāng光
hū忽
rán然
quán全
miè灭
le了
，
fáng房
jiān间
lǐ里
yī一
piàn片
qī漆
hēi黑
。
The lights suddenly all went out, leaving the room in complete darkness.
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Tā她
hū忽
rán然
xiǎng想
qǐ起
jīn今
tiān天
yǒu有
yī一
gè个
zhòng重
yào要
de的
huì会
yì议
。
She suddenly remembered there was an important meeting today.
Hū忽
rán然
，
cóng从
yuǎn远
chù处
chuán传
lái来
yī一
zhèn阵
qí奇
guài怪
de的
shēng声
yīn音
。
Suddenly, a strange sound came from the distance.
Tiān天
qì气
gāng刚
cái才
hái还
hǎo好
hǎo好
de的
，
zěn怎
me么
hū忽
rán然
jiù就
guā刮
qǐ起
dà大
fēng风
le了
？
The weather was fine just a moment ago, how did it suddenly start blowing so hard?