驚き (おどろき, odoroki) Japanese meaning: surprise

驚き (おどろき, odoroki) Japanese meaning: surprise | Kotomora

Kanji

驚wonder, be surprised, frightened

Related words· 8

驚おどろくN4
驚く is the verb meaning 'to be surprised', while 驚き is the noun form referring to the feeling or state of surprise itself.
びっくりN4
びっくり is a colloquial, onomatopoeic word for surprise often paired with する, while 驚き is a more neutral noun that works in writing and formal speech.
驚きょう愕がく
驚愕 describes a much more intense, often shocking astonishment, whereas 驚き can range from mild to strong surprise.
驚きょう嘆たん
驚嘆 combines surprise with admiration (being amazed at something impressive), while 驚き is neutral and can apply to bad news too.

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衝しょう撃げきN1
衝撃 emphasizes the jolting emotional or physical impact of an event, while 驚き focuses on the element of unexpectedness.
サプライズ
驚き is the plain native noun for the feeling or fact of being surprised, while サプライズ usually implies a planned, often pleasant, surprise event.
あっけN1
驚き is the general, everyday noun for surprise of any kind, whereas 呆気 specifically describes the stunned, deflated feeling when something anticlimactic happens.
仰ぎょう天てん
驚き is a neutral noun simply meaning 'surprise', while 仰天 implies a stronger, almost overwhelming shock.

Don't confuse with

おびえ
驚き is neutral surprise at something unexpected, while 怯え specifically carries the sense of fear or dread, not mere astonishment.

Word family

驚おどろき入いる
be astonished; be amazed

Written forms

驚おどろきUsage92%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency word in news and everyday contexts.
おどろきUsage6%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing, manga, and when emphasizing the emotional impact.
オドロキUsage1%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling used for stylistic emphasis, often in advertising or informal digital text.

Etymology

Noun form of the verb 驚く (おどろく), which is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 驚 combines 馬 (horse) and 敬 (respect/awe), suggesting the startled reaction of a horse.

驚おどろき

Meanings

Usage patterns