震惊 (zhènjīng) is a verb meaning 'to be deeply shocked' or 'to be stunned'—a stronger, more intense reaction than just 惊讶 (jīngyà). The character 震 means 'to shake' or 'to quake', evoking physical or emotional tremors; 惊 means 'to startle' or 'to be alarmed'. Together, they convey a visceral, overwhelming shock—often caused by unexpected, disturbing, or extraordinary news or events.

This word is commonly used in formal and semi-formal contexts: news reports, academic writing, speeches, or serious conversations. It’s rarely used for minor surprises (e.g., a friend showing up unannounced), but fits well for revelations like sudden policy changes, shocking discoveries, or tragic incidents. While it can appear as a predicate verb (e.g., 他震惊了), it’s also frequently used in the structure 令人震惊 (lìng rén zhènjīng, 'shocking to people') or as a descriptive phrase before nouns (e.g., 震惊的消息).