呆れ返る
あきれかえる
verb-godan
to be utterly dumbfounded; to be completely appalled
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 呆れ返る | 呆れ返らない |
| Present polite | 呆れ返ります | 呆れ返りません |
| Past | 呆れ返った | 呆れ返らなかった |
| Past polite | 呆れ返りました | 呆れ返りませんでした |
| て form | 呆れ返って | 呆れ返らなくて |
| ている present | 呆れ返っている | 呆れ返っていない |
| ている polite | 呆れ返っています | 呆れ返っていません |
| ている past | 呆れ返っていた | 呆れ返っていなかった |
| ている past polite | 呆れ返っていました | 呆れ返っていませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 呆れ返れば | 呆れ返らなければ |
| Conditional たら | 呆れ返ったら | 呆れ返らなかったら |
| Volitional | 呆れ返ろう | — |
| Volitional polite | 呆れ返りましょう | — |
| Potential | 呆れ返れる | 呆れ返れない |
| Passive | 呆れ返られる | 呆れ返られない |
| Causative | 呆れ返らせる | 呆れ返らせない |
| Imperative | 呆れ返れ | 呆れ返るな |
1.
to be utterly dumbfounded; to be completely appalled
An intensified form of 呆れる, expressing extreme exasperation or disbelief at someone's behavior or a situation.
もう呆れ返ったよ。
I'm completely dumbfounded.
あの発言には呆れ返ってしまった。
I was utterly appalled by that remark.
何度注意しても直らないので、周りは呆れ返っている。
No matter how many times he's warned, he doesn't change, so everyone around him is completely exasperated.
A compound verb formed from 呆れる (to be amazed/appalled) + 返る (to return). The 返る suffix intensifies the base verb, giving a sense of being so shocked that one is left speechless or unable to react. Always carries a negative connotation — expressing disgust, exasperation, or disbelief rather than positive surprise.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 呆れ返って物も言えない: so appalled one can't even speak
- 呆れ返った顔: a look of utter disbelief
- 呆れ返ってしまう: to end up completely dumbfounded
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 呆れる: to be amazed, appalled — the base form; less intense
- 唖然とする: to be stunned — focuses on speechlessness from shock
- 開いた口が塞がらない: to be left open-mouthed — an idiom expressing extreme shock or disbelief
GRAMMAR NOTE:
The ～返る pattern is a productive compound verb suffix meaning "to do something to an extreme degree" or "all the way back." Other examples include 繰り返す (to repeat) and 振り返る (to look back).