驚き

• Reading: おどろき
• Romaji: odoroki
• Kanji breakdown: 驚 (odoro/kyou) — surprise, startle, astonish
• Pronunciation: /o.do.ɾo.ki/

Meaning

Surprise; astonishment; wonder. A feeling of being startled or amazed.

A noun derived from the verb 驚く (to be surprised). Used to express shock, amazement, or wonder at unexpected events. Common in expressions like 驚きの結果 (surprising result) and 驚きを隠せない (cannot hide one's surprise).

Examples

1. テストの結果は驚きの満点だった。 The test result was a surprisingly perfect score.
2. 彼女の変わりように驚きを隠せなかった。 I couldn't hide my astonishment at how much she had changed.
3. 毎日が小さな驚きの連続だ。 Every day is a series of small surprises.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, emotions, news

Tone: expressive

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 驚く (odoroku, to be surprised). The kanji 驚 combines 馬 (horse) and 敬 (respect/awe), evoking the image of a startled horse rearing up.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal