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あっと Japanese meaning | Kotomora

あっと

あ

っ

と

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

adverb

with a gasp; in surprise; with a shout

Describes a sudden reaction of surprise, shock, or amazement, often accompanied by an exclamation. Frequently used in the set phrase あっと驚く.

See also: あっと驚く

その知しらせを聞きいて、彼かれはあっと驚おどろいた。
He gasped in surprise when he heard the news.
あっと言いう間まに時じ間かんが過すぎた。
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

Written forms

アッと
Katakana variant used for emphasis or in informal writing.
アっと
Mixed-kana variant; rarely seen in practice.

Similar words

あっ
あっ is a standalone interjection of surprise, while あっと is an adverbial form used to modify verbs like 驚く.

Etymology

Derived from the interjection あっ (a cry of surprise) combined with the quotative particle と, forming an adverbial expression meaning 'with an exclamation of ah'.