青天霹靂(せいてんへきれき)

せいてんへきれき
noun, expression
bolt from the blue; sudden shock
1. bolt from the blue; sudden shock
An unexpected, shocking event that comes without warning, like thunder from a clear blue sky.
彼(かれ)の辞任(じにん)は青天(せいてん)の霹靂(へきれき)だった。
His resignation was a bolt from the blue.
会社(かいしゃ)の倒産(とうさん)は青天霹靂(せいてんへきれき)の知(し)らせだった。
The company's bankruptcy was completely unexpected news.
まさに青天霹靂(せいてんへきれき)で言葉(ことば)も出(で)なかった。
It was such a shock I was speechless.

FOUR-CHARACTER IDIOM (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)):
青天(せいてん) (clear/blue sky) + 霹靂(へきれき) (thunderclap)

ALTERNATE FORMS:

  • 青天(せいてん)の霹靂(へきれき): same meaning with の particle inserted

ORIGIN:
From classical Chinese poetry. 霹靂(へきれき) specifically refers to a sudden, loud thunderclap.

USAGE:
Used to describe completely unexpected news or events, typically shocking or surprising. The event itself can be either positive or negative, but the emphasis is on its unexpectedness.

COMMON PATTERNS:

general
Added 2026.1.17 12:42 · Revised 2026.6.14 0:21
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