Japanese word

驚異

Pronunciation

Romajikyōi

Meaning

  • nounmarvel

Example

彼の記憶力は驚異です。kare no ki oku ryoku wa kyō i de su

His memory is a marvel.

Illustration for 驚異 (marvel)

More examples

彼女の回復力は驚異としか言いようがありません。kano jo no kai fuku ryoku wa kyō i to shi ka i i yō ga a ri ma se n

Her resilience can only be described as a marvel.

Core concept

Describes something so extraordinary that it creates a strong sense of wonder or astonishment.

Common phrases

  • 驚異の記録kyō i no ki roku

    a remarkable record

  • 自然の驚異shi zen no kyō i

    the wonders of nature

Definition in Japanese

普通では考えられないほど優れた力や、めったにない現象など、強い驚きを引き起こすもの。fu tsū de wa kanga e ra re na i ho do sugu re ta chikara ya me tta ni na i gen shō na do tsuyo i odoro ki o hi ki o ko su mo no

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese word, it combines 驚 (kyō, "surprise") and 異 (i, "different") to denote something that inspires astonishment.

Usage tips

  • The noun 驚異 (kyōi) appears often in formal news and essays, where it can describe an astonishing ability or natural phenomenon without claiming that it is supernatural.

Other meanings

  • wondernoun
  • miraclenoun

Related words

  • 驚異的kyōitekimarvelousna-adjective

Word lists with this word