Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
仰天 (ぎょうてん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
be amazed ; be horrified ; be taken aback
Describes a strong, sudden emotional reaction of shock, astonishment, or horror. Often used with する to mean 'to be astonished' or 'to be flabbergasted'. Can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
彼かれ
の
突とつ
然ぜん
の
告こく
白はく
に
、
みんな
仰ぎょう
天てん
し
た
。
Everyone was taken aback by his sudden confession.
Written forms 仰ぎょう 天てん Usage 97%
Standard kanji spelling; common in news and formal writing.
ぎょうてん Usage 3%
Kana spelling is sometimes used for emphasis or in casual contexts.
Kanji 仰 face-up, look up, depend Similar words 驚おどろ く 驚く is a more general and common verb for 'to be surprised'. 仰天 implies a stronger, often more dramatic or sudden shock.
びっくり びっくり is a casual, everyday expression for surprise. 仰天 is more intense and often used in written or formal contexts.
Etymology Composed of 仰 (look up, revere) and 天 (heaven, sky). The combination suggests looking up to the heavens in shock or amazement, though the exact historical derivation is uncertain.
