愕然(がくぜん)

がくぜん
taru-adjective, to-adverb
astonished; dumbfounded; stunned
1. astonished; dumbfounded; stunned
shocked and unable to react, usually in a negative way
その知(し)らせに愕然(がくぜん)とした。
I was dumbfounded by the news.
結果(けっか)を見(み)て愕然(がくぜん)とした。
I was stunned when I saw the results.
自分(じぶん)のミスに愕然(がくぜん)として言葉(ことば)が出(で)なかった。
I was so shocked by my own mistake that I couldn't speak.

USAGE:
Almost always used with とする: 愕然(がくぜん)とする

NUANCE:
愕然(がくぜん) implies shock at something unexpected and usually negative. It suggests being left speechless.

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 呆然(ぼうぜん)とする - to be dazed, stunned
  • 唖然(あぜん)とする - to be struck dumb
  • 驚愕(きょうがく)する - to be astonished

ALL THESE "～然(ぜん)" WORDS:
These tari-adjectives describe states of emotional shock, each with slightly different nuances.

general
Added 2026.1.28 8:50 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08500/08682_gakuzen