驚く vs 仰天する
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 驚く
Listen to 仰天する
| 驚く | 仰天する |
|---|---|
o-DORO-ku verb | gyōten suru verb |
| to be surprised; to be astonished | to be astonished; to be stunned |
How they differ
仰天する is stronger and more dramatic than 驚く. It often implies being so surprised that you are overwhelmed, and it is used more in writing, headlines, or emphatic speech than in ordinary conversation.
When to use each
When to use 驚く: Use 驚く for a general, everyday expression of surprise.
When to use 仰天する: Use 仰天する when you want to emphasize extreme astonishment or a dramatic reaction.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼の言葉に驚いた。
(I was surprised by his words.) - 彼の言葉に仰天した。
(I was stunned by his words.)
Register & nuance: 仰天する is more literary and emphatic than 驚く, and it is less common in casual conversation.