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.
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.
The project cost a staggering amount of money.
Literally 'off the scale', meaning exceptionally large or extraordinary. Often used for numbers, prices, or abilities.
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.
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.
The news was staggering.
Literally 'hard to believe'. Used when something is so surprising or unlikely that it's difficult to accept as true.
It's staggering that he would resign.
Idiom meaning 'can't believe one's ears'. Used for staggering auditory information.
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.
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'.
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.
I was staggered by the news.
熱でふらついている。
I'm staggering from the fever.
He staggered home drunk.