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.
I was surprised. (casual)
What a surprise!
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.
I was surprised to hear the news.
I was surprised by his sudden visit.
A very common casual expression meaning 'to be surprised' or 'startled'. Often used in spoken Japanese.
I was startled by the loud noise.
I was surprised to receive a present.
The noun form meaning 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Used in more formal or written contexts.
His success was a surprise.
I was so surprised that I was speechless.
Passive form of 驚かす, meaning 'to be surprised' (by someone or something). Emphasizes the cause of the surprise.
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.
I was flabbergasted when I heard the price.
Referring to something that causes surprise.
The noun 'surprise' as in an unexpected event. Can be used in phrases like 'a pleasant surprise'.
That was a pleasant surprise.
Life is full of surprises.
Loanword from English, often used for planned surprises like surprise parties or gifts. Casual and modern.
We planned a surprise party for her.
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).
It was a surprising result.
Surprisingly, he didn't come.
The act of causing someone to feel surprised.
Transitive verb meaning 'to surprise someone'. Can be used for both positive and negative surprises.
I hid, thinking to surprise him.
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.
Don't startle me from behind like that.
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.
His talent surprised the world.
Referring to a sudden, often military or strategic, surprise.
Literally 'unexpected strike', used for surprise attacks or catching someone off guard. Can be used metaphorically.
The enemy launched a surprise attack.
I couldn't answer the unexpected question.
A military term for 'surprise attack' or 'raid'. More formal and strategic than 不意打ち.
The surprise attack operation was successful.
Words or interjections used when surprised.
A common interjection of surprise or disbelief. Equivalent to 'Huh?' or 'What?'.
What? Really?
Expresses disbelief or surprise, like 'No way!' or 'It can't be!'.
I never thought he would win. / No way he won!
Literally 'lie', used as an exclamation meaning 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!'.
No way! I can't believe it.
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.
I was surprised at how much he had changed.
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.
To my surprise, he agreed.
She looked at me in surprise.
It comes as no surprise that he quit.