Japanese word

驚かす

Pronunciation

Romajiodorokasu

Meaning

  • verbsurprise

Example

その知らせはみんなを驚かします。so no shi ra se wa mi n na o odoro ka shi ma su

The news surprises everyone.

Illustration for 驚かす (surprise)

More examples

子どもたちを驚かさないように、静かに部屋へ入りました。ko do mo ta chi o odoro ka sa na i yō ni shizu ka ni heya e hai ri ma shi ta

I entered the room quietly so as not to surprise the children.

Core concept

Creates an unexpected experience that makes another person suddenly feel surprise, fear, or shock.

Common phrases

  • みんなを驚かすmi n na o odoro ka su

    surprise everyone

  • 友達を驚かすtomo dachi o odoro ka su

    surprise a friend

Similar words

驚かせるodorokaseru: To startle someone suddenly, often through an abrupt action or appearance.
脅かすodokasu: To cause fear by creating a sense of danger.
度肝を抜くdogimoonuku: To leave someone extremely surprised and unable to remain calm.

Definition in Japanese

思いがけない出来事や行動によって、相手に驚きや恐れを感じさせる。omo i ga ke na i de ki goto ya kō dō ni yo tte ai te ni odoro ki ya oso re o kan ji sa se ru

Word origin

驚かす (odorokasu, "to surprise") is the native Japanese causative form of 驚く (odoroku, "to be surprised"), using the suffix す (su, "to cause to").

Usage tips

  • 驚かす (odorokasu) takes the person affected as its object, while 驚く (odoroku) describes the experiencer's own reaction.

Other meanings

  • frightenverb
  • shockverb

Word lists with this word