Translation guide
Japanese expressions for astonishment range from casual interjections to formal phrases. The most common way to express astonishment is with the sentence-ending particle ね (ne) or the exclamation えっ (e'). For stronger surprise, びっくり (bikkuri) is widely used. The choice depends on the situation and the speaker's relationship with the listener.
Expressing surprise or amazement in everyday conversation
A versatile word meaning 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (びっくりする). Very common in casual and neutral contexts.
それにはびっくりした。
I was astonished by that.
びっくりするほど大きい。
It's astonishingly big.
The past tense of 驚く (odoroku), meaning 'I was surprised/astonished'. A straightforward way to express astonishment.
その知らせを聞いて驚いた。
I was astonished to hear the news.
An interjection expressing sudden surprise or disbelief. Very common in spoken Japanese.
えっ、本当？
What? Really?
Expresses disbelief or astonishment at something unexpected. Often used like 'No way!' or 'You don't say!'.
まさか彼が優勝するとは思わなかった。
I never thought he would win. (Astonishment at an unexpected outcome)
To be astonished in a negative sense, often implying dismay or being appalled. Used when someone's behavior is shockingly bad.
彼の無責任さにあきれた。
I was astonished at his irresponsibility.
Expressing intense surprise or shock
Means 'being astonished' or 'flabbergasted'. Often used in the phrase 仰天する (gyouten suru). Slightly more emphatic than びっくり.
その値段を聞いて仰天した。
I was astonished when I heard the price.
A stronger, more formal word for astonishment or shock. Often used in written language or news reports.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to astonish greatly' or 'to knock someone's socks off'. Literally 'to pull out the liver'. Very vivid and colloquial.
Reacting to surprising news or events
A pattern meaning 'It is surprising that...'. The particle と marks the surprising content, and は emphasizes it.
彼が辞めるとは驚きだ。
It's astonishing that he's quitting.
A colloquial particle expressing surprise or disbelief, often with a negative nuance. Attaches to the surprising element.
彼がそんなことを言うなんて。
I can't believe he would say such a thing. (astonishment)
Describing a state of being astonished
Means 'so astonished that...'. Used to describe an action or state resulting from extreme surprise.
驚きのあまり言葉を失った。
I was so astonished that I was lost for words.
To be dumbfounded or stunned. Describes a state of being so astonished that one cannot react.
突然の知らせに呆然とした。
I was stunned by the sudden news.
Both mean 'to be surprised', but びっくり is more colloquial and often used in casual speech. 驚く is slightly more formal and can be used in writing. びっくりする is a very common phrase, while 驚く can also be used in compound words like 驚き (odoroki, 'surprise').
English phrases like 'I was astonished' can be directly translated as 驚いた, but in many casual situations, a simple えっ！ or びっくりした！ is more natural. Overusing formal words like 驚愕 can sound stiff.
驚いたことに、彼は同意した。
To my astonishment, he agreed.
彼女は驚いてじっと見つめた。
She stared in astonishment.
そのニュースは世界に驚愕を与えた。
The news astonished the world.
彼のパフォーマンスは観客の度肝を抜いた。
His performance astonished the audience.