びっくり

びっくり is a mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) expressing sudden surprise or shock. One of the most common ways to express surprise in Japanese.

Common patterns

• びっくりする: to be surprised
• びっくりさせる: to surprise someone
• びっくりするほど〜: surprisingly ~
• びっくり仰天(ぎょうてん): great astonishment (emphatic)

Similar words

• 驚(おどろ)く: to be surprised (more formal, written)
• びっくり: surprised (casual, conversational)
• ぎょっとする: to be startled, taken aback (stronger shock)
• はっとする: to realize with a start

Writing

Sometimes written as ビックリ (katakana) for emphasis. The kanji 吃驚(びっくり) exists but is rarely used.

Register

Neutral to casual. Appropriate in most situations including polite speech: びっくりしました。