Translation guide
Expresses extreme surprise, shock, or astonishment, often leaving one speechless. Japanese uses various verbs and phrases depending on the degree of shock and formality.
To be utterly astonished or dumbfounded by something unexpected.
Literally 'cannot hide one's surprise'. A natural way to say you are visibly shocked or flabbergasted.
彼の突然の辞職に驚きを隠せなかった。
I couldn't hide my surprise at his sudden resignation.
To be astonished or flabbergasted. Slightly more formal or literary than あっけにとられる.
彼の行動に仰天した。
I was flabbergasted by his behavior.
Literally 'to lose words'. Conveys being so shocked that you are speechless, similar to 'flabbergasted'.
あまりの光景に言葉を失った。
I was flabbergasted by the sight.
Emphatic combination of 'surprised' and 'astonished', meaning extremely flabbergasted. Colloquial and expressive.
その値段を聞いてびっくり仰天した。
I was absolutely flabbergasted when I heard the price.
あっけにとられる is more colloquial and describes a state of being dumbfounded, often with a nuance of being unable to react. 仰天する is stronger and can be used in both spoken and written language, but feels slightly more dramatic or formal.
彼の答えにあっけにとられた。
I was flabbergasted by his answer.
その知らせに仰天した。
I was flabbergasted by the news.
To be taken aback, dumbfounded, or flabbergasted. Often used when something is so unexpected that you are momentarily speechless.
そのニュースを聞いてあっけにとられた。
I was flabbergasted when I heard the news.