Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
驚

驚·surprise

On-yomi
キョウ
Kun-yomi
おどろ(く)おどろ(かす)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

22 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
驚くおどろくto be surprised
驚異きょういwonder, marvel
驚かすおどろかすto surprise, startle someone
驚嘆きょうたんwonder, admiration

Example sentences

  1. 突然の知らせにみんな驚いた。

    とつぜんのしらせにみんなおどろいた。

    Everyone was surprised by the sudden news.

  2. 彼の記憶力は驚異的だ。

    かれのきおくりょくはきょういてきだ。

    His memory is astonishing.

  3. 大きな音で赤ちゃんを驚かさないでください。

    おおきなおとであかちゃんをおどろかさないでください。

    Please don't startle the baby with loud noises.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 驚く is intransitive ('be surprised'); to surprise someone else you need 驚かす or 驚かせる

Memory aid

Picture it

A horse 馬 under 敬: the horse shying and rearing at a sudden sound — startled.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 驚 mean?