惊

• Pinyin: jīng
• Desglose de hanzi: 惊 = 忄(heart) + 京 (phonetic) — to startle, be alarmed

Significado

Asustar; sobresaltar(se); alarmar(se).

As a standalone verb, means to startle or be startled. Forms the basis of many compound words expressing surprise or fear: 惊讶 (surprised), 惊恐 (terrified), 惊喜 (pleasantly surprised). Can be used for both causing and experiencing alarm.

Ejemplos

1. 一声巨响惊醒了所有人。
2. 别惊着孩子，轻点说话。
3. 他被门口突然出现的人影吓了一惊。

Guía de uso

Contexto: everyday speech, descriptions, literature

Tono: descriptive

Correcto

• 吓了一惊。(Got a fright.)
• 别惊着他。(Don't startle him.)

Incorrecto

• 我很惊 alone (Don't use 惊 alone as an adjective — use 惊讶 or 吃惊; standalone 惊 functions as a verb or in compounds)

Origen e historia

A pictophonetic character with 忄 (heart radical) indicating emotion and 京 as the phonetic component. Represents the heart's reaction to something startling.

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal