What is 깜짝 and how do I use it?
상현이는 깜짝 놀랐어요.

When i read this sentence I didn't know what 깜짝 meant so I looked it up, and what I found was that it was an adverb meaning surprise, but 놀라 is a verb meaning surprise. So why is 깜짝 there? Is it supposed to mean like extra surprised? Like a word just to emphasize their surprise?

Question

What is 깜짝 and how do I use it?
상현이는 깜짝 놀랐어요.

When i read this sentence I didn't know what 깜짝 meant so I looked it up, and what I found was that it was an adverb meaning surprise, but 놀라 is a verb meaning surprise. So why is 깜짝 there? Is it supposed to mean like extra surprised? Like a word just to emphasize their surprise?

Answer

깜짝 is an adverb meaning 'all of a sudden' or 'with surprise'. So 깜짝 modifies or emphasizes the verb '놀랐어요'.  '깜짝 놀랐어요' gives the stronger feeling rather than just saying '놀랐어요'.