愕然(がくぜん) がくぜん taru-adjective, to-adverb astonished; dumbfounded; stunned formalemotion 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. UsageAlmost always used with とする: 愕然(がくぜん)とする愕然(がくぜん) implies shock at something unexpected and usually negative. It suggests being left speechless.Related words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 astonishedALL THESE "～然(ぜん)" WORDS:These tari-adjectives describe states of emotional shock, each with slightly different nuances. Related Words Related: 呆然(ぼうぜん)とする (to be dazed, stunned) Related: 驚愕(きょうがく) (to be astonished) Compare: 唖然(あぜん) (dumbfounded, speechless, stunned) general Added 2026.1.28 8:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01 08500/08682_gakuzen