Translation guide
Expresses extreme surprise, shock, or astonishment, often leaving one speechless. Japanese uses various verbs and phrases depending on the degree of shock and formality.
To be utterly astonished or dumbfounded by something unexpected.
Literally 'cannot hide one's surprise'. A natural way to say you are visibly shocked or flabbergasted.
I couldn't hide my surprise at his sudden resignation.
To be astonished or flabbergasted. Slightly more formal or literary than あっけにとられる.
I was flabbergasted by his behavior.
Literally 'to lose words'. Conveys being so shocked that you are speechless, similar to 'flabbergasted'.
I was flabbergasted by the sight.
Emphatic combination of 'surprised' and 'astonished', meaning extremely flabbergasted. Colloquial and expressive.
I was absolutely flabbergasted when I heard the price.
あっけにとられる is more colloquial and describes a state of being dumbfounded, often with a nuance of being unable to react. 仰天する is stronger and can be used in both spoken and written language, but feels slightly more dramatic or formal.
I was flabbergasted by his answer.
To be taken aback, dumbfounded, or flabbergasted. Often used when something is so unexpected that you are momentarily speechless.
I was flabbergasted when I heard the news.
その知らせに仰天した。
I was flabbergasted by the news.