Masa

Hi, guys!! I’m Masa from Japan2U and a Native Japanese Speaker!!

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If you’re learning Japanese, then you’ve probably already realized that there are many different ways to express emotions. One of the most common emotions we feel is shock, which can be caused by anything from surprising news to unexpected events. In this blog post, I’ll be explaining how to say “I’m shocked” in Japanese and exploring some of the different expressions and nuances you can use to convey this feeling effectively. So let’s get started!

First things first, the most basic and direct way to say “I’m shocked” in Japanese is 「私は驚いています」(watashi wa odoriteimasu). This is a simple sentence that you can use in almost any situation where you want to express shock or surprise. The word 驚く (odoroku) means “to be surprised,” and adding the ている (teiru) ending turns it into a continuous form, making it clear that you are currently experiencing the feeling of shock.

However, there are many other ways to express shock in Japanese that can convey different levels of intensity and nuances. Let’s explore some of them below.

6 ways to say “I’m shocked” in Japanese like a Native Speaker

Table of contents

「えっ！」(Eh!)
「信じられない！」(Shinjirarenai!)
「ビックリしました！」(Bikkuri shimashita!)
「まさか！」(Masaka!)
「驚きました！」(Odorokimashita!)
「びっくりした！」(Bikkuri shita!)
Summary まとめ

「えっ！」(Eh!)

This is one of the most common interjections used to express surprise or shock in Japanese. It’s similar to the English exclamation “What?!” and is often used when something unexpected happens or when you hear surprising news. It’s a simple and casual expression that you can use with friends, family, or colleagues.

「信じられない！」(Shinjirarenai!)

This phrase means “I can’t believe it!” and is often used when something happens that is so shocking or unbelievable that it’s hard to accept. For example, if you hear that your friend won the lottery, you might say 「信じられない！」in disbelief. This phrase can also be used in situations where you are disappointed or upset.

「ビックリしました！」(Bikkuri shimashita!)

This expression is similar to saying “I was surprised!” in English. It’s a more polite and formal way to express shock, and it’s often used in professional settings or with people you don’t know very well. You might use this expression if you were surprised by a guest’s sudden arrival or a colleague’s unexpected resignation.

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「まさか！」(Masaka!)

This expression is similar to saying “No way!” in English. It’s often used to express shock or disbelief when you hear something that seems impossible or unlikely. For example, if your friend tells you that they just won a million dollars, you might respond with 「まさか！」in amazement.

「驚きました！」(Odorokimashita!)

This is a more formal way to say “I was surprised.” It’s a polite and respectful expression that you might use in formal situations, such as when speaking to your boss or a customer. This expression can also be used when you want to express your surprise in a more subdued way.

「びっくりした！」(Bikkuri shita!)

This phrase is similar to saying “I was startled!” in English. It’s often used when something unexpected or sudden happens, such as when someone jumps out from behind a door or when a loud noise startles you. This expression is more casual than some of the others we’ve looked at, so you can use it with friends or in informal situations.

Summary まとめ

「えっ！」(Eh!)
「信じられない！」(Shinjirarenai!)
「ビックリしました！」(Bikkuri shimashita!)
「まさか！」(Masaka!)
「驚きました！」(Odorokimashita!)
「びっくりした！」(Bikkuri shita!)

If you want to know more daily Japanese words, click here!!