驚: the kanji for surprise
驚 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means surprise. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
驚 is written in 22 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
驚 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キョウ (kyou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 驚異きょうい · kyōi | wonder; marvel |
| 驚異的きょういてき · kyōiteki | amazing |
おどろく (odoroku)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 驚くおどろく · odoroku | to be surprised |
おどろかす (odorokasu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 驚かすおどろかす · odorokasu | to surprise |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 急に名前を呼ばれて驚いた。Kyū ni namae o yobarete odoroita.I was surprised when my name was suddenly called.
- 後ろから友達を驚かした。Ushiro kara tomodachi o odorokashita.I surprised my friend from behind.
- 自然の力は驚異的だ。Shizen no chikara wa kyōiteki da.The power of nature is amazing.
- 彼の上達の速さに驚いた。Kare no jōtatsu no hayasa ni odoroita.I was surprised at how fast he improved.
- 驚くほど安い値段だった。Odoroku hodo yasui nedan datta.The price was surprisingly low.
Questions about 驚
How many strokes does 驚 have?
驚 is written in 22 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 驚?
The on readings are kyou (キョウ). The kun readings are odoroku (おどろく), odorokasu (おどろかす).
What JLPT level is 驚?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Feelings and emotions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 驚
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.