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.
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.
His sudden resignation astonished everyone.
Literally 'to give surprise', a slightly more formal or literary way to say 'astonish'.
A colorful idiom meaning 'to astonish' or 'to knock someone's socks off'. Literally 'to pull out the liver', it conveys extreme shock.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She has astonishing talent.
A very common casual adjective meaning 'amazing' or 'astonishing'. Can be used for both positive and negative surprise.
A more literary adjective meaning 'astonishing' or 'staggering'. Often used in news headlines or formal writing.
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.
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.
I was astonished by the news. (neutral/formal)
I was astonished by the news. (casual)
The news astonished the whole world.
His magic trick astonished the audience.
彼の無責任さにあきれた。
I was astonished by his irresponsibility.
That's astonishing news!