Translation guide
Expresses being so shocked or surprised that one is momentarily speechless or unable to react. Japanese offers several nuanced expressions depending on the degree of shock, formality, and whether the reaction is internal or visible.
To be so surprised or shocked that you cannot speak or react for a moment.
A common, neutral phrase meaning to be stunned or dumbfounded, often with a sense of blank amazement.
I was dumbfounded when I heard the news.
Literally 'to lose words.' Emphasizes being so shocked that you cannot speak.
I was dumbfounded by his sudden confession.
A noun or する-verb meaning to be dumbfounded or flabbergasted, often with a nuance of being agape.
I was dumbfounded by the sight.
Idiom meaning 'one's open mouth won't close,' expressing utter astonishment or disbelief.
I was dumbfounded by his rude attitude.
A formal, literary compound meaning to be stunned and at a loss, often used in writing.
He stood there dumbfounded and at a loss.
To be so shocked that you are completely overwhelmed, often with a physical reaction.
Literally 'to have one's liver pulled out,' meaning to be extremely surprised or flabbergasted.
I was dumbfounded by that magic trick.
Literally 'to lose one's hips,' meaning to be so shocked that one collapses or is unable to stand.
Literally 'to doubt one's eyes,' used when you see something so shocking you can't believe it.
To be so surprised that you are temporarily unable to speak, often in a conversational context.
呆然 (ぼうぜん) suggests a blank, dazed state. 唖然 (あぜん) emphasizes being agape with shock. 絶句 (ぜっく) focuses on the inability to speak, often in conversation.
Avoid directly translating 'be dumbfounded' as ダムファウンデッドされる or similar. Use the natural Japanese expressions above.
He was so dumbfounded by the ghost that he collapsed.
I was dumbfounded by the sight; I couldn't believe my eyes.
Idiom meaning 'unable to say the next phrase,' i.e., so shocked you can't continue speaking.
I was dumbfounded by his reply and couldn't say anything.