あっけにとられる

expression

to be dumbfounded; to be stunned; to be taken aback

emotion

1. to be dumbfounded; to be stunned; to be taken aback

To be so surprised by something unexpected that one is momentarily speechless or unable to react.

あっけにとられて見(み)ていた。

I watched in stunned silence.

突然(とつぜん)の告白(こくはく)にあっけにとられた。

I was dumbfounded by the sudden confession.

彼(かれ)の大胆(だいたん)な発言(はつげん)に、会場(かいじょう)の全員(ぜんいん)があっけにとられた。

Everyone in the venue was stunned by his bold remarks.

あまりにも予想外(よそうがい)の展開(てんかい)に、しばらくあっけにとられて動(うご)けなかった。

The turn of events was so unexpected that I was dumbfounded and couldn't move for a while.

A set expression describing the state of being so surprised that one freezes or goes speechless. The あっけ part relates to surprise or being caught off guard, and とられる (to be taken) indicates being seized by that feeling.

Common collocations

あっけにとられて見(み)る: to watch in stunned silence
あっけにとられて立(た)ちすくむ: to stand rooted in shock
あっけにとられて何(なに)も言(い)えない: to be so stunned one can't say anything

Usage

Often used in the past tense (あっけにとられた) or in the て-form describing a state (あっけにとられて...). The surprise is usually at something absurd, audacious, or completely unexpected — not necessarily negative.

Similar words

唖然(あぜん)とする: to be dumbstruck — similar meaning but slightly more literary
呆然(ぼうぜん)とする: to be stunned; dazed — implies a longer-lasting state of shock
驚(おどろ)く: to be surprised — general surprise without the speechless, frozen quality

Related Words

Compare: 呆然(ぼうぜん)とする (to be stunned)

Compare: 驚(おどろ)く (to be surprised)

Compare: ぽかんとする (to look blank)

general

Added 2026.4.6 0:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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