Meaning
to be surprised; to be astonished; to be amazed; to be shocked
Nuance & Usage
驚く is an intransitive verb meaning to be surprised or shocked. The particle に is used for what surprises you: そのニュースに驚いた (I was surprised by that news). The adjective form 驚いた is also used as an exclamation ("That's surprising!"). Related: びっくりする (bikkuri suru) is a more colloquial expression of being startled/surprised. 驚かす (odorokasu) is the transitive form meaning "to surprise someone."
Common Mistakes
The particle to use with 驚く is に, not で or を: ✓ その結果に驚いた (I was surprised at the result) ✗ その結果で驚いた. Also: 驚く is for genuine surprise, while びっくりする implies more of a sudden startle (like a loud noise). You wouldn't say 宝くじに当たってびっくりした for a lottery win (use 驚いた); びっくりした is for sudden physical startles (ドアの音にびっくりした).
Example Sentences
彼女の歌の上手さに驚きました。
かのじょのうたのじょうずさにおどろきました。
I was amazed at how well she sings.
そのニュースを聞いて、みんな驚いていました。
そのにゅーすをきいて、みんなおどろいていました。
Everyone was surprised when they heard that news.
日本語がこんなに上手なんですね。驚きました！
にほんごがこんなにじょうずなんですね。おどろきました！
Your Japanese is so good! I'm amazed!
Quick Quiz
N44 questionsTest your knowledge of 驚く with 4 different question types.
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