きょとんと
きょとんと
adverb
blankly; with a puzzled look; dumbfounded
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。
A blank, puzzled face.
子どもはきょとんとして私を見ていた。
The child was staring at me blankly.
突然サプライズパーティーが始まり、彼女はきょとんとしたまま立ち尽くしていた。
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:
- きょとんとする: to look blank/puzzled
- きょとんとした顔: a bewildered face
- きょとんとして見る: to look at blankly
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