Translation guide
The English word 'shock' covers a range of meanings from sudden surprise to physical impact. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Expressing a sudden, often negative, emotional reaction to unexpected news or events.
A loanword from English, widely used in Japanese to express emotional shock, disappointment, or distress. Very common in casual and semi-formal contexts.
I was shocked to hear he quit.
Means 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Can be used for shock, but is more neutral and less intense than ショック. Often used in phrases like 驚きを隠せない (cannot hide one's surprise).
Literally 'to receive a shock/impact'. Used for both emotional and physical shock. More formal or literary than ショック.
Adjectival loanword meaning 'shocking'. Used to describe events or things that cause shock. Less common than ショック.
Referring to a sudden physical jolt, collision, or the medical condition of shock.
Referring to the sensation or injury caused by electric current passing through the body.
Verb meaning 'to get an electric shock'. The noun form is 感電 (electric shock).
The feeling of disorientation experienced when suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture.
A device for absorbing jolts and vibrations, especially in vehicles.
Loanword from English. Often abbreviated to ショック in casual conversation among car enthusiasts.
English often uses 'shock' as a verb (e.g., 'It shocked me'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use ショックを受ける or ショックだ rather than a direct verb form. The loanword ショック is primarily a noun or na-adjective.
I was shocked by the news.
ショック is the most common and versatile word for emotional shock. 衝撃 can also be used for emotional shock but carries a stronger, more profound nuance and is often used in written or formal contexts. For physical impact, 衝撃 is the standard term.
That news was a shock.
彼の突然の告白に驚きを隠せなかった。
I couldn't hide my shock at his sudden confession.
I was deeply shocked by the news.
それはショッキングな出来事だった。
It was a shocking event.
Means 'impact' or 'shock' in a physical sense, such as a collision or blast. Also used metaphorically for emotional shock.
The car was wrecked by the shock of the collision.
The shock of the explosion was felt far away.
Also used for physical shock, especially in medical contexts (e.g., ショック状態).
He went into shock after the accident.
Means 'shock' or 'vibration', often used for seismic shocks or mechanical vibrations.
The shock of the earthquake shook the building.
There is a risk of electric shock if you touch the outlet with wet hands.
Means 'electric shock' or 'electrical discharge'. Often used in technical or dramatic contexts.
He collapsed from an electric shock.
Loanword directly from English 'culture shock'. Universally understood in Japanese.
When I first came to Japan, I experienced a lot of culture shock.
I replaced the car's shock absorbers.
Technical term for 'shock absorber' or 'buffer'. Used in engineering contexts.
This machine is equipped with shock absorbers.