驚く vs びっくりする
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 驚く
Listen to びっくりする
| 驚く | びっくりする |
|---|---|
o-DORO-ku verb | bikkuri suru verb |
| to be surprised; to be astonished | to be surprised; to be startled |
How they differ
びっくりする is more conversational and often describes a sudden, immediate jolt of surprise or alarm. 驚く can sound a bit more neutral or formal and can cover a wider range, from mild surprise to being astonished.
When to use each
When to use 驚く: Use 驚く when you want a neutral word that fits both everyday and more serious or written contexts.
When to use びっくりする: Use びっくりする when speaking casually about a sudden surprise or shock.
Side-by-side examples
- その知らせに驚いた。
(I was surprised by the news.) - その知らせにびっくりした。
(I was shocked by the news.)
Register & nuance: びっくりする is very common in spoken Japanese and feels more casual than 驚く.