竟Tone 4

jìng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

竟 · jìng

actually;

unexpectedly;

in the end;

to complete;

to finish;

used to express surprise or emphasis.

actuallyunexpectedlyin the end

Usage highlights

unexpectedlyafter all; in the endto completeunexpected successunexpectedly beautifulunexpectedly fast

Synonyms

竟然— unexpectedly; to one's surprise
究竟— after all; actually; exactly
终— finally; eventually

Antonyms

始— beginning; start
初— initial; first

Usage & contexts

Examples

I never thought he would actually succeed (竟然成功).
What on earth is this?(究竟是什么呢?)
The investigation is complete (调查竟了).
He unexpectedly refused the offer (竟拒绝了邀请).

Collocations

unexpectedly(竟然)
after all; in the end(究竟)
to complete(竟了)
unexpected success(竟成)
unexpectedly beautiful(竟美)
unexpectedly fast(竟快)

Idioms

Unexpectedly achieving success(有志者事竟成)
To investigate to the end(穷原竟委)
Unexpectedly encountering(未竟之遇)

Cultural background

Originally meant 'to finish music' or 'to complete', derived from the musical sense.
Often used in classical Chinese to express surprise or unexpected outcomes.
Commonly appears in idioms expressing determination and unexpected results.

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