奇怪 (qíguài) — strange
HSK 3 | adjective | strange, odd, weird — outside the normal or expected
奇怪 (qíguài)
奇怪 describes something that is strange, odd, or unexpected — outside of normal behavior, appearance, or events. It can also express puzzlement at something unusual.
Meanings
- [adjective] Strange; odd; weird; unusual.
Example Sentences
这件事很奇怪，我想不明白。 Zhè jiàn shì hěn qíguài, wǒ xiǎng bu míngbái. This thing is very strange; I can't figure it out.
他今天的行为很奇怪。 Tā jīntiān de xíngwéi hěn qíguài. His behavior today is very strange.
奇怪，钥匙怎么不见了？ Qíguài, yàoshi zěnme bú jiàn le? How strange — where did the key go?
她有一些奇怪的习惯，比如总是站着吃饭。 Tā yǒu yīxiē qíguài de xíguàn, bǐrú zǒngshì zhàn zhe chīfàn. She has some odd habits, like always eating standing up.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 感到奇怪 | feel it's strange |
| 非常奇怪 | very strange |
| 奇怪的行为 | strange behavior |
| 有些奇怪 | a bit strange |
| 不奇怪 | not surprising; makes sense |
Memory Hook
奇 (odd / singular — a big 大 person on a horse 可, standing out from the crowd) plus 怪 (weird). Something stands out so much it becomes weird — that is 奇怪.