驚く · godan verb (-ku)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 驚く | 驚かない |
| Polite | 驚きます | 驚きません |
| Past polite | 驚きました | 驚きませんでした |
| Past | 驚いた | 驚かなかった |
| Te-form | 驚いて | 驚かないで |
| Desire | 驚きたい | 驚きたくない |
| Potential | 驚ける | 驚けない |
| Passive | 驚かれる | 驚かれない |
| Causative | 驚かせる | 驚かせない |
| Causative passive | 驚かせられるalso 驚かされる | 驚かせられないalso 驚かされない |
| Volitional | 驚こう | |
| Polite volitional | 驚きましょう | |
| Imperative | 驚け | 驚くな |
| Conditional | 驚けば | 驚かなければ |
| Tara conditional | 驚いたら | 驚かなかったら |
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
be surprised; be amazed; be astonished
General expression for being surprised or amazed by something unexpected.
I was surprised by his sudden confession.
I was so amazed by the beautiful scenery that I was speechless.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
be startled; be frightened; be alarmed
Often implies a sudden, sometimes unpleasant surprise that can include fear or alarm.
I was startled by a loud noise and jumped up.
I was alarmed when a person suddenly appeared on the dark street.
Everyone was surprised at his success.
I was startled when I saw the big spider.
Startled by the noise, I jumped up.
驚く is the neutral, standard verb for 'be surprised', while たまげる is a colloquial, old-fashioned word for a stronger, more visceral shock.
驚く is the plain, general verb for 'to be surprised', while 目を丸くする paints the visual image of eyes going round in astonishment.
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.
驚く is the plain, all-purpose word for being surprised, while ビビる (sense of being startled) is a slangy, often exaggerated way to say the same thing.
驚く is a neutral word for being surprised, while 呆れる specifically implies the surprise comes with disappointment or exasperation.
驚く is the everyday, general verb for being surprised, while 愕然 is a stronger, more literary word for being utterly stunned.
Rarely used kanji form.