はっと

adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

with a start; in surprise

Describes a sudden, brief reaction to something unexpected, often involving a gasp or a jolt of awareness. Commonly used with verbs like する and 気づく.

• 大おおきな音おとにはっとして目めが覚さめた。

  I woke up with a start at the loud noise.

• 彼かの女じょの言こと葉ばにはっとした。

  I was taken aback by her words.

adverb

suddenly realize; all of a sudden

Used when a thought, memory, or understanding strikes suddenly. Often paired with 気づく or 思い出す.

• はっと気きづくと、もう外そとは暗くらくなっていた。

  I suddenly realized it was already dark outside.

• 約やく束そくを忘わすれていたことをはっと思おもい出だした。

  I suddenly remembered I had forgotten the appointment.

adverb

with a puff; puffing

Mimetic for a short, sharp exhalation or puff of air, such as when blowing out a candle or sighing in relief.

• 彼かれははっと息いきを吹ふきかけてろうそくを消けした。

  He blew out the candle with a puff.

adverb

suddenly (movement); showy (archaic)

Sense 4 is obsolete for a sudden movement or change. Sense 5 is archaic, meaning standing out or being gaudy. Both are rarely encountered in modern Japanese.

• 古こ文ぶんでは「はっと」が派は手でな様よう子すを表あらわすことがある。

  In classical texts, はっと can describe something showy or gaudy.