Differences in "surprise" translations: 驚奇, 吃驚, 驚喜
驚奇 (v) - be amazed; be surprised.
Example: 對此事驚奇不已 (extremely amazed by this event)
驚奇 (adj) - amazing; surprising.
Example:有驚奇效果 (having amazing/surprising effect)

~

吃驚 (v) - frighteningly surprised; frightened; suffer/get a scare
Example: 一吃驚, 拔腿就跑 (once frightened, it ran)

~

驚喜 (n) - pleasant surprise
Example: 一個驚喜 (a pleasant surprise)

These terms are used in both Mandarin and Cantonese

&quot;to surprise (v)&quot; in Chinese is &quot; 讓/使/令(某人)驚訝&quot;