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.
I was astonished by that.
It's astonishingly big.
The past tense of 驚く (odoroku), meaning 'I was surprised/astonished'. A straightforward way to express astonishment.
I was astonished to hear the news.
An interjection expressing sudden surprise or disbelief. Very common in spoken Japanese.
Expresses disbelief or astonishment at something unexpected. Often used like 'No way!' or 'You don't say!'.
To be astonished in a negative sense, often implying dismay or being appalled. Used when someone's behavior is shockingly bad.
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.
Reacting to surprising news or events
A pattern meaning 'It is surprising that...'. The particle と marks the surprising content, and は emphasizes it.
Describing a state of being astonished
Means 'so astonished that...'. Used to describe an action or state resulting from extreme surprise.
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.
To my astonishment, he agreed.
What? Really?
I never thought he would win. (Astonishment at an unexpected outcome)
彼の無責任さにあきれた。
I was astonished at his irresponsibility.
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.
The news astonished the world.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to astonish greatly' or 'to knock someone's socks off'. Literally 'to pull out the liver'. Very vivid and colloquial.
His performance astonished the audience.
It's astonishing that he's quitting.
A colloquial particle expressing surprise or disbelief, often with a negative nuance. Attaches to the surprising element.
I can't believe he would say such a thing. (astonishment)
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.
I was stunned by the sudden news.
She stared in astonishment.