唖然(あぜん)

あぜん
taru-adjective / to-adverb
dumbfounded, speechless, stunned
formalemotiondescriptive
1. dumbfounded, speechless, stunned
Being so shocked or surprised that one is unable to speak or react.
唖然(あぜん)とする。
To be dumbfounded.
その知(し)らせに唖然(あぜん)とした。
I was stunned by the news.
彼(かれ)の発言(はつげん)に一同(いちどう)唖然(あぜん)となった。
Everyone was left speechless by his remark.
予想(よそう)外(がい)の展開(てんかい)に唖然(あぜん)として言葉(ことば)も出(で)なかった。
I was so dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events that I couldn't find any words.

唖然(あぜん) describes being so shocked or surprised that one is rendered speechless. The character 唖(あ) relates to being mute — literally struck silent.

Common patterns

As a たる-adjective / と-adverb, it primarily appears in these patterns:

  • 唖然(あぜん)とする: to be dumbfounded
  • 唖然(あぜん)となる: to become speechless
  • 唖然(あぜん)として: being dumbfounded (adverbial, modifying a following verb)
  • 唖然(あぜん)たる表情(ひょうじょう): a dumbfounded expression (たる modifying a noun)

Usage

Usually triggered by something unexpected, outrageous, or hard to believe. Can describe both genuine shock and exasperated disbelief.

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 茫然(ぼうぜん) (dazed, stunned)
Compare: 呆然(ぼうぜん) (dazed, stunned)
Compare: 愕然(がくぜん) (astonished, aghast)
general
Added 2026.2.1 18:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09404_azen