サプライズ
さぷらいず
noun
surprise
1.
surprise
An unexpected event, gift, or action planned to delight or astonish someone. Used almost exclusively in positive contexts in Japanese.
サプライズで花を贈った。
I gave flowers as a surprise.
誕生日にサプライズパーティーを開いた。
We threw a surprise party for the birthday.
彼女はサプライズの演出に感動して涙を流した。
She was so moved by the surprise that she shed tears.
Unlike English "surprise," サプライズ in Japanese is used almost exclusively for pleasant, planned surprises — gifts, parties, proposals, etc. It does not carry the neutral or negative sense of being startled.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- サプライズパーティー: surprise party
- サプライズプレゼント: surprise gift
- サプライズの演出: surprise production/arrangement
- サプライズで〜する: to do something as a surprise
- サプライズ企画: surprise plan
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 驚き: surprise, astonishment (broader, includes negative surprise)
- びっくり: startle, shock (more spontaneous reaction)