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あっと驚く (あっとおどろく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

あっと驚おどろく

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ku)

be astonished; get a big surprise; be taken aback

Expresses a sudden, strong surprise; often used when something unexpected happens and you react with a gasp or a start.

突とつ然ぜんの大おおきな音おとにあっと驚おどろいた。
I was startled by the sudden loud noise.
彼かれの変かわりように

あっと

驚おどろ

かさ

れ

た

。

I was astonished by how much he had changed.

Written forms

あっと驚おどろく
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
アッと驚おどろく
Katakana variant of the interjection part; often used for emphasis or in informal writing.

Kanji

驚wonder, be surprised, frightened

Similar words

びっくりする
More common and casual for general surprise; あっと驚く emphasizes a sudden, sharp reaction, often with a physical start.
驚おどろく
General verb for 'be surprised'; あっと驚く is a fixed expression that adds the nuance of a sudden, involuntary gasp or exclamation.

Etymology

The phrase combines the interjection あっ (a cry of surprise) with the verb 驚く (to be surprised). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely developed as a natural expression of sudden astonishment.