きょとんと

きょとんと
adverb, onomatopoeia
blankly; with a puzzled look; dumbfounded
informalemotion
1. blankly; with a puzzled look; dumbfounded; looking bewildered
Describes a facial expression of blank confusion or bewilderment, as when someone doesn't understand what is happening. The person stares with wide, uncomprehending eyes.
きょとんとした顔(かお)。
A blank, puzzled face.
子(こ)どもはきょとんとして私(わたし)を見(み)ていた。
The child was staring at me blankly.
突然(とつぜん)サプライズパーティーが始(はじ)まり、彼女(かのじょ)はきょとんとしたまま立(た)ち尽(つ)くしていた。
A surprise party suddenly started, and she just stood there looking completely bewildered.

A mimetic word (onomatopoeia) that vividly describes the blank, wide-eyed expression of someone who doesn't understand what's going on. Often endearing or humorous rather than negative.

Common patterns

Similar words

  • ぽかんと: blankly, vacantly — more emphasis on being dazed or spacing out
  • ぼんやりと: vaguely, absent-mindedly — more about being unfocused than confused
  • 呆然(ぼうぜん)と: stunned, dumbfounded — more intense shock; formal
  • きょろきょろ: looking around restlessly — a different kind of confusion: searching rather than blank

Related Words

Compare: ポカンと (blankly, vacantly)
Compare: きょろきょろ (looking around restlessly)
general
Added 2026.4.9 2:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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