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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing being startled awake with 惊醒 (jīngxǐng)

    Actions & Events
    Aspect & Tense

    Structure

    Subject + 惊醒 + Object

    Explanation

    The verb 惊醒 (jīngxǐng) means "to wake up with a start" or "to be startled awake." It combines 惊 (startled) with 醒 (awake), implying a sudden or alarming awakening. For example, 妻子的声音惊醒了他 means "his wife's voice startled him awake."

    Examples

    • 半夜一声巨响把我从梦中惊醒了。

      Bànyè yī shēng jù xiǎng bǎ wǒ cóng mèng zhōng jīngxǐng le.

      A loud bang in the middle of the night jolted me awake from my dream.

    • 手机铃声突然响了，把正在午睡的她惊醒了。

      Shǒujī língshēng tūrán xiǎng le, bǎ zhèngzài wǔshuì de tā jīngxǐng le.

      Her phone suddenly rang and woke her from her afternoon nap.

    • 他被噩梦惊醒，出了一身冷汗。

      Tā bèi èmèng jīngxǐng, chū le yī shēn lěnghàn.

      He was jolted awake by a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.

    Expressing being startled awake with 惊醒 (jīngxǐng) | Chinese Grammar