Quick answer
驚 is the kanji for "Surprise". Its reading is おどろ.く (odoroku). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Surprise
Also : Wonder · Amazed · Frightened
Learn 驚 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
22 strokes
Radicals
Example Sentences
彼の突拍子もない話に驚きを隠せない。
かれのとっぴょうしもないはなしにおどろきをかくせない。
I cannot hide my surprise at his outlandish story.
その瞬間、驚くほど高速の流星が夜空を駆け抜けた。
そのしゅんかん、おどろくほどこうそくのりゅうせいがよぞらをかけぬけた。
In that instant, a meteor shot across the night sky at an astonishing speed.
Vocabulary using 驚
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
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