あんぐり

あんぐり
adverb
gaping; open-mouthed; agape
1. gaping; open-mouthed; with mouth wide open in surprise or shock
Describes the state of having one's mouth open wide, typically from shock, surprise, or disbelief. A vivid mimetic expression.
あんぐり(くち)()ける。
To gape open-mouthed.
請求書(せいきゅうしょ)金額(きんがく)()てあんぐりした。
I was left gaping when I saw the amount on the bill.
(かれ)突拍子(とっぴょうし)もない発言(はつげん)に、全員(ぜんいん)があんぐりと(くち)()けた。
Everyone gaped open-mouthed at his outrageous remark.

A mimetic word that vividly evokes the image of a mouth hanging open in shock. Often used with (くち)()ける (to open one's mouth) or simply as あんぐりする.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • あんぐりする: to gape, to be left open-mouthed
  • あんぐり(くち)()ける: to gape with mouth wide open
  • あんぐりと(くち)()けた: gaped open-mouthed

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ぽかんと: blankly — mouth open from being dazed or spacing out; less shock
  • 唖然(あぜん)と: speechless — formal word for being struck dumb with shock
  • ()いた(くち)(ふさ)がらない: jaw-dropping (idiom) — so shocked one can't close one's mouth
  • びっくり: surprised — general surprise; not specifically about the mouth