<p>突然 忽然 exactly the same. 忽然 is more for writing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-13T20:11:19.887Z
2017-10-13T20:11:19.887Z
Sleeping On a Giant's Shoulder
<p>They are identical when used as an Adverb.  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>天空突然/忽然下起了大雨。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But 突然 can also be used as a complement of a verb. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>这雨下得太突然了。 </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Where you can only use 突然。</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-24T22:48:57.300Z
2014-04-24T22:48:57.300Z
running gherkin
<p>They both have the meaning <code>sudden</code>, but what is a subtle difference between 突然 and 忽然?</p>

<word-choice><meaning><vocabulary><difference>
What is the difference between 突然 and 忽然?
# What is the difference between 突然 and 忽然?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-24)

They both have the meaning `sudden`, but what is a subtle difference between 突然 and 忽然?

**Tags:** word-choice, meaning, vocabulary, difference

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-04-24. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

They are identical when used as an Adverb.

> 天空突然/忽然下起了大雨。

But 突然 can also be used as a complement of a verb.

> 这雨下得太突然了。

Where you can only use 突然。


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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-10-13. Score: 0

突然 忽然 exactly the same. 忽然 is more for writing.


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