あっけにとられる
あっけにとられる
expression
to be dumbfounded; to be stunned; to be taken aback
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ていた。
I watched in stunned silence.
突然の告白にあっけにとられた。
I was dumbfounded by the sudden confession.
彼の大胆な発言に、会場の全員があっけにとられた。
Everyone in the venue was stunned by his bold remarks.
あまりにも予想外の展開に、しばらくあっけにとられて動けなかった。
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る: to watch in stunned silence
- あっけにとられて立ちすくむ: to stand rooted in shock
- あっけにとられて何も言えない: 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:
- 唖然とする: to be dumbstruck — similar meaning but slightly more literary
- 呆然とする: to be stunned; dazed — implies a longer-lasting state of shock
- 驚く: to be surprised — general surprise without the speechless, frozen quality