Translation guide
The English word 'surprise' can be a noun, verb, or adjective. This guide covers how to express surprise in Japanese, including the feeling of being surprised, surprising events, and the act of surprising someone.
Expressing the emotion of being surprised or astonished.
The most common verb for 'to be surprised'. It is intransitive and describes the state of being surprised.
その知らせを聞いて驚いた。
I was surprised to hear the news.
彼の突然の訪問に驚いた。
I was surprised by his sudden visit.
A very common casual expression meaning 'to be surprised' or 'startled'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
大きな音にびっくりした。
I was startled by the loud noise.
プレゼントをもらってびっくりした。
I was surprised to receive a present.
The noun form meaning 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Used in more formal or written contexts.
Passive form of 驚かす, meaning 'to be surprised' (by someone or something). Emphasizes the cause of the surprise.
彼の知識の豊富さに驚かされた。
I was surprised by the breadth of his knowledge.
A stronger, more dramatic word for 'to be astonished' or 'flabbergasted'. Often used in writing or emphatic speech.
その値段を聞いて仰天した。
I was flabbergasted when I heard the price.
Referring to something that causes surprise.
The act of causing someone to feel surprised.
Referring to a sudden, often military or strategic, surprise.
Words or interjections used when surprised.
A common interjection of surprise or disbelief. Equivalent to 'Huh?' or 'What?'.
Both mean 'to be surprised', but びっくりする is more colloquial and often implies a sudden, startling surprise. 驚く can be used in both casual and formal contexts and covers a wider range of surprise, including astonishment and wonder.
彼の変わりように驚いた。
I was surprised at how much he had changed.
急に肩を叩かれてびっくりした。
I was startled when someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.
サプライズ is a loanword and is mainly used for planned, positive surprises like parties or gifts. For general surprise or astonishment, use native Japanese words like 驚き or びっくり.
驚いたことに、彼は同意した。
To my surprise, he agreed.
彼女は驚いた顔で私を見た。
She looked at me in surprise.
彼が辞めたのは驚くにはあたらない。
It comes as no surprise that he quit.
彼の成功は驚きだった。
His success was a surprise.
驚きのあまり言葉が出なかった。
I was so surprised that I was speechless.
The noun 'surprise' as in an unexpected event. Can be used in phrases like 'a pleasant surprise'.
それは嬉しい驚きだった。
That was a pleasant surprise.
人生には驚きがつきものだ。
Life is full of surprises.
Loanword from English, often used for planned surprises like surprise parties or gifts. Casual and modern.
彼女のためにサプライズパーティーを計画した。
We planned a surprise party for her.
サプライズのプレゼントをありがとう。
Thank you for the surprise gift.
An adjective/noun meaning 'unexpected' or 'surprising'. Often used in the phrase 意外なことに (surprisingly).
意外な結果になった。
It was a surprising result.
意外なことに、彼は来なかった。
Surprisingly, he didn't come.
Transitive verb meaning 'to surprise someone'. Can be used for both positive and negative surprises.
彼を驚かそうと思って、隠れた。
I hid, thinking to surprise him.
そのニュースはみんなを驚かせた。
The news surprised everyone.
Casual causative form of びっくりする, meaning 'to startle' or 'to surprise someone'. Common in everyday speech.
後ろから急にびっくりさせないでよ。
Don't startle me from behind like that.
子供たちをびっくりさせるためにマジックをした。
I did a magic trick to surprise the kids.
Another transitive form of 驚く, similar to 驚かす but slightly more formal or literary.
彼の才能は世間を驚かせた。
His talent surprised the world.
Literally 'unexpected strike', used for surprise attacks or catching someone off guard. Can be used metaphorically.
敵は不意打ちをかけてきた。
The enemy launched a surprise attack.
不意打ちの質問に答えられなかった。
I couldn't answer the unexpected question.
A military term for 'surprise attack' or 'raid'. More formal and strategic than 不意打ち.
奇襲作戦が成功した。
The surprise attack operation was successful.
えっ、本当？
What? Really?
Expresses disbelief or surprise, like 'No way!' or 'It can't be!'.
まさか彼が優勝するとは思わなかった。
I never thought he would win. / No way he won!
Literally 'lie', used as an exclamation meaning 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!'.
うそ！信じられない。
No way! I can't believe it.