びっくり

Alternative writings: 吃驚, 喫驚, ビックリ
JLPT:N4
Frequency:

1To be surprised, startled, or amazed by something sudden or unexpected. Most often used as びっくりする or びっくりして; an extremely common everyday expression.

Group 3 VerbIntransitive VerbAdverbUsually KanaOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

彼が突然訪ねてきたので、びっくりした。

I was surprised because he suddenly came to visit.

大きな音がして、猫がびっくりして飛び上がった。

There was a loud noise, and the cat was startled and jumped.

テストの点数が思ったより良くて、びっくりした。

My test score was better than I expected, so I was surprised.

あの店のラーメンの量にはびっくりするよ。

You'll be amazed at how much ramen that shop serves.

2A surprise itself, or something designed to surprise someone — used as a noun or prenominally, as in びっくりパーティー (surprise party) or びっくり箱 (jack-in-the-box).

Noun or Verb Acting PrenominallyUsually KanaOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

友達が誕生日に内緒でびっくりパーティーを開いてくれた。

My friends secretly threw me a surprise party for my birthday.

開けると人形が飛び出す、びっくり箱のおもちゃを買った。

I bought a jack-in-the-box toy that pops out a doll when you open it.

Word Relationships

Synonyms