びっくり

び

っ

く

り

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, adverb

be surprised; be startled; be amazed

usually written using kana aloneonomatopoeic or mimetic word

Mimetic word expressing sudden surprise or fright. Can be used as a noun, a suru-verb, or adverbially.

大おおきな音おとにびっくりした。
I was startled by the loud noise.
彼かの女じょの変かわりようにびっくりしている。
I'm amazed at how much she has changed.

noun-modifying (irregular)

surprise (as in surprise party)

usually written using kana aloneonomatopoeic or mimetic word

Prenominal use, modifying a noun to indicate something unexpected or surprising.

友とも達だちがびっくりパーティーを開ひらいてくれた。
My friends threw me a surprise party.

Written forms

びっくりUsage75%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
ビックリUsage23%
kana-only spelling
Katakana variant, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.
吃驚びっくりUsage2%
rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; a jukujikun reading. Not commonly used.
喫驚びっくり
rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; a jukujikun reading. Not commonly used.

Kanji

吃stammer
驚wonder, be surprised, frightened
喫consume, eat, drink

Similar words

驚おどろく
A more formal and general verb for 'to be surprised'. びっくり is more colloquial and mimetic.
ドキッと
Mimetic word for a sudden shock or start, often with a negative connotation. びっくり is broader and can be positive or neutral.

Etymology

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely imitates the sound or feeling of a sudden jump or start.

びっくり

び

っ

く

り

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, adverb

be surprised; be startled; be amazed

usually written using kana aloneonomatopoeic or mimetic word

Mimetic word expressing sudden surprise or fright. Can be used as a noun, a suru-verb, or adverbially.

大おおきな音おとにびっくりした。
I was startled by the loud noise.
彼かの女じょの変かわりようにびっくりしている。
I'm amazed at how much she has changed.

noun-modifying (irregular)

surprise (as in surprise party)

usually written using kana aloneonomatopoeic or mimetic word

Prenominal use, modifying a noun to indicate something unexpected or surprising.

友とも達だちがびっくりパーティーを開ひらいてくれた。
My friends threw me a surprise party.

Written forms

びっくりUsage75%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
ビックリUsage23%
kana-only spelling
Katakana variant, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.
吃驚びっくりUsage2%
rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; a jukujikun reading. Not commonly used.
喫驚びっくり
rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; a jukujikun reading. Not commonly used.

Kanji

吃stammer
驚wonder, be surprised, frightened
喫consume, eat, drink

Similar words

驚おどろく
A more formal and general verb for 'to be surprised'. びっくり is more colloquial and mimetic.
ドキッと
Mimetic word for a sudden shock or start, often with a negative connotation. びっくり is broader and can be positive or neutral.

Etymology

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely imitates the sound or feeling of a sudden jump or start.