Japanese word

サプライズ

Pronunciation

Romajisapuraizu

Meaning

  • nounsurprise

Example

母にサプライズでプレゼントを渡しました。haha ni sa pu ra i zu de pu re ze n to o wata shi ma shi ta

I gave my mother a present as a surprise.

Illustration for サプライズ (surprise)

More examples

友人の誕生日に、サプライズを成功させました。yū jin no tan jō hi ni sa pu ra i zu o sei kō sa se ma shi ta

I pulled off a surprise for my friend's birthday.

Core concept

Captures the contrast between careful secret preparation and the sudden reaction caused when the hidden plan is revealed.

Common phrases

  • サプライズをするsa pu ra i zu o su ru

    pull off a surprise

  • サプライズを用意するsa pu ra i zu o yō i su ru

    prepare a surprise

  • サプライズを仕掛けるsa pu ra i zu o shi ka ke ru

    set up a surprise

Similar words

ドッキリdokkiri: A staged reveal or trick designed to surprise someone suddenly.
驚きodoroki: A sudden feeling produced by an unexpected event.

Definition in Japanese

予め計画しながら相手には知らせず、思いがけない形で驚きや喜びを与えること。arakaji me kei kaku shi na ga ra ai te ni wa shi ra se zu omo i ga ke na i katachi de odoro ki ya yoroko bi o ata e ru ko to

Word origin

The Japanese loanword サプライズ (sapuraizu, "surprise") follows English surprise, whose Old French source surprendre combines sur- "over" and prendre "take."

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses サプライズ (sapuraizu) especially for a planned reveal intended to delight someone, whereas English surprise covers both pleasant and unpleasant unexpected events.

Word lists with this word