Translation guide
Describes something extremely surprising, large, or difficult to believe, often in a shocking or overwhelming way.
To express that a quantity, size, or degree is so great it is hard to believe or comprehend.
A common adjective meaning 'astonishing' or 'phenomenal', used for impressive numbers or achievements. Neutral to positive nuance.
その会社は驚異的な成長を遂げた。
The company achieved staggering growth.
Literally 'unreasonable' or 'outrageous', used for amounts or scales that are unimaginably large. Often carries a sense of being beyond common sense.
そのプロジェクトには途方もない費用がかかった。
The project cost a staggering amount of money.
Literally 'off the scale', meaning exceptionally large or extraordinary. Often used for numbers, prices, or abilities.
彼の才能はけた外れだ。
His talent is staggering.
Means 'enormous' or 'vast', typically for sums of money, amounts of data, etc. More formal and often used in written contexts.
その計画には莫大な予算が必要だ。
The plan requires a staggering budget.
To describe something so surprising or upsetting that it leaves one in disbelief.
Means 'shocking' or 'traumatic'. Used for news or events that are emotionally staggering.
そのニュースは衝撃的だった。
The news was staggering.
Literally 'hard to believe'. Used when something is so surprising or unlikely that it's difficult to accept as true.
彼が辞職するとは信じがたい。
It's staggering that he would resign.
To describe a person's physical state of being unable to walk straight, often due to a shock or being drunk.
Verb meaning 'to stagger' or 'to reel', often from a physical blow or dizziness.
彼はパンチを受けてよろめいた。
He staggered from the punch.
Verb meaning 'to feel dizzy' or 'to stagger', often from illness, fatigue, or intoxication.
Noun meaning 'staggering gait', literally 'plover's feet', describing the unsteady walk of a drunk person.
To describe someone struggling to walk while carrying something very heavy.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to stagger under a heavy load'.
彼は重い荷物によろめきながら運んだ。
He staggered under the heavy load.
While 'staggering' implies a stronger, often overwhelming shock, Japanese words like 驚くべき (odorokubeki) are closer to 'surprising'. For the full impact of 'staggering', use 衝撃的 or 信じがたい.
The English word 'staggering' can be both physical and metaphorical. In Japanese, use specific verbs like よろめく for physical staggering, and adjectives like 衝撃的 for metaphorical shock. Do not use よろめく for metaphorical staggering.
Idiom meaning 'can't believe one's ears'. Used for staggering auditory information.
その知らせに耳を疑った。
I was staggered by the news.
熱でふらついている。
I'm staggering from the fever.
彼は千鳥足で家に帰った。
He staggered home drunk.