Translation guide
To cause great surprise or wonder. Japanese expresses this through verbs, adjectives, and set phrases that convey shock, amazement, or being taken aback.
（人）を驚かせる
astonish someone
Expressing that something causes a strong feeling of surprise or wonder.
The most direct causative verb meaning 'to astonish' or 'to surprise someone'. Used when a person or thing causes surprise.
彼の突然の辞職は皆を驚かせた。
His sudden resignation astonished everyone.
Literally 'to give surprise', a slightly more formal or literary way to say 'astonish'.
そのニュースは世界中に驚きを与えた。
The news astonished the whole world.
A colorful idiom meaning 'to astonish' or 'to knock someone's socks off'. Literally 'to pull out the liver', it conveys extreme shock.
彼のマジックは観客の度肝を抜いた。
His magic trick astonished the audience.
Expressing the state of being astonished or amazed.
The most common intransitive verb meaning 'to be surprised' or 'to be astonished'. Used for both mild and strong surprise.
その知らせを聞いて驚いた。
I was astonished to hear the news.
A very common, slightly casual verb meaning 'to be surprised' or 'to be astonished'. Often used in everyday speech.
値段を見てびっくりした。
I was astonished when I saw the price.
A stronger, more dramatic word for 'to be astonished' or 'to be flabbergasted'. Often used in written or formal contexts.
その結果に仰天した。
I was astonished at the result.
To be astonished in a negative way, often with a sense of being appalled or dumbfounded. Implies disbelief at something outrageous.
Describing something that causes astonishment.
The standard adjective meaning 'astonishing' or 'surprising'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼女は驚くべき才能を持っている。
She has astonishing talent.
A very common casual adjective meaning 'amazing' or 'astonishing'. Can be used for both positive and negative surprise.
すごいニュースだね！
That's astonishing news!
A more literary adjective meaning 'astonishing' or 'staggering'. Often used in news headlines or formal writing.
仰天の事実が明らかになった。
An astonishing fact came to light.
English 'astonish' is stronger than everyday 'surprise'. In Japanese, 驚く (odoroku) and びっくりする (bikkuri suru) cover both 'surprise' and 'astonish'. Reserve stronger words like 仰天する (gyōten suru) for dramatic contexts.
彼の話に驚いた。
I was surprised/astonished by his story.
驚く is slightly more formal and can be used in writing. びっくりする is conversational and often implies a sudden, physical reaction of surprise. Both can translate 'astonish' depending on context.
その知らせに驚いた。
I was astonished by the news. (neutral/formal)
その知らせにびっくりした。
I was astonished by the news. (casual)
彼の無責任さにあきれた。
I was astonished by his irresponsibility.