Translation guide
The English word 'shock' covers a range of meanings from sudden surprise to physical impact. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Expressing a sudden, often negative, emotional reaction to unexpected news or events.
A loanword from English, widely used in Japanese to express emotional shock, disappointment, or distress. Very common in casual and semi-formal contexts.
彼が辞めたと聞いてショックだった。
I was shocked to hear he quit.
そのニュースはショックでした。
That news was a shock.
Means 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Can be used for shock, but is more neutral and less intense than ショック. Often used in phrases like 驚きを隠せない (cannot hide one's surprise).
彼の突然の告白に驚きを隠せなかった。
I couldn't hide my shock at his sudden confession.
Literally 'to receive a shock/impact'. Used for both emotional and physical shock. More formal or literary than ショック.
その知らせに大きな衝撃を受けた。
I was deeply shocked by the news.
Adjectival loanword meaning 'shocking'. Used to describe events or things that cause shock. Less common than ショック.
それはショッキングな出来事だった。
It was a shocking event.
Referring to a sudden physical jolt, collision, or the medical condition of shock.
Means 'impact' or 'shock' in a physical sense, such as a collision or blast. Also used metaphorically for emotional shock.
衝突の衝撃で車が大破した。
The car was wrecked by the shock of the collision.
爆発の衝撃が遠くまで伝わった。
The shock of the explosion was felt far away.
Also used for physical shock, especially in medical contexts (e.g., ショック状態).
Means 'shock' or 'vibration', often used for seismic shocks or mechanical vibrations.
Referring to the sensation or injury caused by electric current passing through the body.
Verb meaning 'to get an electric shock'. The noun form is 感電 (electric shock).
濡れた手でコンセントに触ると感電する危険がある。
There is a risk of electric shock if you touch the outlet with wet hands.
Means 'electric shock' or 'electrical discharge'. Often used in technical or dramatic contexts.
彼は電撃を受けて倒れた。
He collapsed from an electric shock.
The feeling of disorientation experienced when suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture.
Loanword directly from English 'culture shock'. Universally understood in Japanese.
日本に来たばかりの頃はカルチャーショックが大きかった。
When I first came to Japan, I experienced a lot of culture shock.
A device for absorbing jolts and vibrations, especially in vehicles.
Loanword from English. Often abbreviated to ショック in casual conversation among car enthusiasts.
車のショックアブソーバーを交換した。
I replaced the car's shock absorbers.
Technical term for 'shock absorber' or 'buffer'. Used in engineering contexts.
この機械には緩衝器が付いている。
This machine is equipped with shock absorbers.
English often uses 'shock' as a verb (e.g., 'It shocked me'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use ショックを受ける or ショックだ rather than a direct verb form. The loanword ショック is primarily a noun or na-adjective.
その知らせにショックを受けた。
I was shocked by the news.
ショック is the most common and versatile word for emotional shock. 衝撃 can also be used for emotional shock but carries a stronger, more profound nuance and is often used in written or formal contexts. For physical impact, 衝撃 is the standard term.
He went into shock after the accident.
地震の震動が建物を揺らした。
The shock of the earthquake shook the building.