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Vocabulary
驚かせる

B1 verb #3,500 most common 11 min read

驚かせる

odorokaseru Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 驚かせる in 30 Seconds

Explanation 驚かせる in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express basic actions. 'Odorokaseru' might be a bit advanced, but you can think of it as the 'action' version of being surprised. While 'Odoroku' is 'I am surprised,' 'Odorokaseru' is 'I surprise you.' Imagine you are playing with a child and you say 'Boo!' You are '驚かせる'-ing them. At this stage, focus on the basic 'Subject + wo + Odorokaseru' structure. You might see it in simple storybooks where a character hides and jumps out. It is important to know that this word ends in '-aseru,' which is a special ending in Japanese that means 'to make someone do something' or 'to make someone feel something.' Even if you don't use it much yet, recognizing it when someone says 'Don't surprise me!' (Odorokasenai de!) is very helpful for basic safety and social interaction in Japan. You should also know its very casual friend, 'Bikkuri,' which is often used with 'suru' or 'saseru.' Learning 'Odorokaseru' gives you a more 'grown-up' way to talk about surprises from the very beginning.

At the A2 level, you should begin to distinguish between intransitive and transitive verbs. 'Odorokaseru' is the transitive (causative) partner to 'Odoroku.' You will use it when you want to describe a person's intention. For example, 'I want to surprise my mother with a gift' would use 'Odorokaseru.' You will likely encounter this verb in the past tense, 'Odorokase-ta' (surprised), and the negative request form, 'Odorokase-nai de kudasai' (Please don't surprise/startle me). You are now moving beyond just simple emotions and starting to describe how people influence each other's feelings. This is a key step in becoming more descriptive in Japanese. You should also start noticing the particle 'wo' which marks the person who gets surprised. In A2, you can use this word to talk about your hobbies, like 'I like to surprise people with my cooking.' It is a great word for adding a bit of excitement to your basic self-introductions and daily life stories. You can also start to compare it with 'Bikkuri saseru,' noting that 'Odorokaseru' is slightly more formal and 'proper.'

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'Odorokaseru' in a variety of contexts, including professional and social situations. You should understand the causative grammar behind the word and be able to conjugate it into all forms: potential (odorokasereru), passive (odorokaserareta), and more. At this level, you start using the word for more abstract concepts, like 'The news surprised the whole country.' You are also learning to use adverbs to modify the verb, such as 'Honto ni odorokaseta' (really surprised) or 'Chotto odorokaseta' (surprised a little). You should be comfortable with the 'A wa B wo odorokaseru' pattern and understand when to choose this word over 'Bikkuri saseru.' B1 learners should also recognize the word in reading materials like news articles or blogs. For example, if a new smartphone is released, the article might say 'The new features surprised the fans.' This level is about nuance; you use 'Odorokaseru' when the surprise is significant or has a reason behind it. It's also a good time to learn phrases like 'Odorokaseru tsumori wa nakatta' (I didn't mean to surprise you), which is very useful for social harmony in Japanese culture.

At the B2 level, you should be using 'Odorokaseru' with sophistication. You understand that it's not just about 'startling' someone, but about 'astonishing' or 'impressing' them. You can use it to describe the impact of art, literature, or scientific achievements. You are likely using the causative-passive form '驚かせられる' (to be made to feel surprised/amazed) to express a deep sense of admiration for someone's skills. For example, 'I am always amazed by his piano playing.' You also start to use idiomatic expressions like '世間を驚かせる' (to shock the world/public). Your vocabulary is expanding to include synonyms like '震撼させる' (to shake/shock) or '度肝を抜く' (to knock someone's socks off), and you know exactly when 'Odorokaseru' is the most appropriate, neutral choice. You can handle complex sentence structures where 'Odorokaseru' is part of a relative clause, like 'The result that surprised everyone was actually a mistake.' At B2, you are sensitive to the level of formality and the emotional weight the word carries in different social registers, from a casual prank to a formal corporate announcement.

At the C1 level, your use of 'Odorokaseru' is near-native. You understand the subtle psychological nuances of the verb and can use it to create specific effects in your writing and speaking. You might use it in a rhetorical sense or within complex literary descriptions. You are fully aware of its historical roots and how it relates to the concept of 'Odoroku' in classical Japanese, where the sense of 'shock' or 'awakening' was even stronger. You can use 'Odorokaseru' to discuss social trends, political strategies, or philosophical ideas where a 'shock' to the system is required. You are also proficient in using the humble and honorific versions of causative actions if necessary, although 'Odorokaseru' itself is usually neutral. You can critique the use of the word in media, noting how it is used to sensationalize headlines. Your ability to pair it with advanced adverbs like '端なくも' (hashinakumo - unexpectedly) or '期せずして' (kisezushite - by chance) shows a high level of linguistic control. You use the word not just to communicate a fact, but to convey a specific tone—be it irony, admiration, or clinical observation.

At the C2 level, 'Odorokaseru' is a tool you manipulate with absolute precision. You understand its place within the broader spectrum of Japanese emotional verbs and can discuss its usage in relation to other causative verbs of emotion like 'Yorokobaseru' (to make happy) or 'Kanashimaseru' (to make sad). You can use it in high-level academic writing, such as a thesis on Japanese linguistics or psychology, to describe the mechanism of emotional elicitation. You are aware of how the verb functions in various dialects and how its usage has evolved over centuries of Japanese literature. You can perfectly mimic different registers, using 'Odorokaseru' in a way that feels completely natural for a CEO, a street performer, or a classical poet. You might even play with the word in creative writing, using it to subvert reader expectations. For you, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a versatile instrument for expressing the complex interplay between cause and effect in human emotion. You can explain the subtle difference between 'odorokaseru' and 'odorokasu' (the archaic causative) and when a writer might choose one over the other for stylistic reasons.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

驚かせる in 30 Seconds

A transitive verb meaning 'to surprise' or 'to startle' someone else.
The causative form of 'odoroku' (to be surprised), focusing on the cause.
Used for everything from casual pranks to world-changing news or discoveries.
Commonly paired with the particle 'wo' to mark the person being surprised.

The Japanese verb 驚かせる (odorokaseru) is a powerful and versatile transitive verb that translates to 'to surprise,' 'to astonish,' or 'to startle.' Structurally, it is the causative form of the intransitive verb 驚く (odoroku), which means 'to be surprised.' In Japanese grammar, the causative form (-aseru) indicates that an actor is causing a change in state or an emotion in someone else. Therefore, while 'odoroku' describes the internal state of the person feeling surprise, 'odorokaseru' focuses on the external force or person triggering that feeling. This distinction is crucial for English speakers who might use 'surprise' for both situations. In Japanese, if you are the one doing the surprising, you must use 驚かせる.

Intentionality: This verb can be used for both intentional acts, like a surprise party, and unintentional acts, like a sudden loud noise or an unexpected achievement that shocks the public.

彼は突然大声を出して、みんなを驚かせた。
He suddenly shouted and surprised everyone.

The usage of 驚かせる extends beyond simple physical startling. It is frequently employed in professional and academic contexts to describe results that exceed expectations. For instance, a scientist might 'surprise' the world with a new discovery (世界を驚かせる). In this context, the word carries a nuance of 'astonishing' or 'impressing' through sheer unexpected quality or magnitude. It is a 'high-energy' verb that implies a significant break from the status quo. When using it, the speaker often emphasizes the impact of the action on the recipient's psychological state.

Social Nuance: In Japanese culture, startling someone (驚かせる) can sometimes be seen as disruptive or impolite if done without a positive reason. However, in the context of gifts or good news, it is highly positive.

最新の技術で市場を驚かせるつもりだ。
We intend to surprise the market with the latest technology.

Furthermore, 驚かせる can be used in the passive causative form, though it is rarer. Most often, you will see it in the past tense (驚かせた) to describe a completed event or in the potential form (驚かせられる) to describe the ability to surprise. In literature, it is often paired with adverbs like '世間を' (seken wo - the public/world) to indicate a widespread impact. It is a Tier 1 verb for expressing influence over others' emotions. Whether it's a prank (いたずら) or a feat of genius, 驚かせる is the go-to term for the 'cause' of wonder.

Synonym Comparison: Unlike 'bikkuri saseru' (which is more colloquial and physical), 'odorokaseru' is more formal and covers a wider range of emotional depths, from a 'boo!' to a life-changing revelation.

彼女の才能はいつも私を驚かせる。
Her talent always surprises me.

Using 驚かせる correctly requires understanding the 'A wa B wo [Verb]' pattern. Here, 'A' is the subject (the source of surprise) and 'B' is the object (the person or group being surprised). This verb is inherently active. If you want to say 'I was surprised,' you use 'Odoroku' or 'Odorokasareta' (passive), but never 'Odorokase' by itself. In daily conversation, it often appears in the form of '驚かせないでよ' (Don't startle me!), which is a common reaction to a prank or a sudden movement. The nuance here is one of mild protest against a sudden shock.

Sentence Structure: Subject (Cause) + が/は + Object (Person) + を + 驚かせる. Example: そのニュースが世界を驚かせた (The news surprised the world).

後ろから急に声をかけて彼を驚かせた。
I called out from behind and surprised him.

In more formal or literary settings, 驚かせる is used to describe the impact of works of art, political shifts, or scientific breakthroughs. It often collocates with '世間' (seken - society) or '周囲' (shuui - those around one). When describing a person's character, you might say '人を驚かせるのが好きだ' (He likes to surprise people), suggesting a mischievous or unpredictable personality. It is also common in the negative form '驚かせたくはないが...' (I don't want to alarm you, but...), used as a polite buffer before delivering potentially shocking news. This shows the verb's utility in social navigation.

Professional Usage: In business, you might use it to talk about market disruption: '競合他社を驚かせる戦略' (A strategy to surprise the competitors).

そんなに大きな声で驚かせないでください。
Please don't startle me with such a loud voice.

When we look at the potential for emotional nuance, 驚かせる can be paired with 'あっと' (atto), as in 'あっと驚かせる' (to give someone a real shock/surprise). This is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the suddenness and completeness of the surprise. It's often used in marketing to describe products that have a 'wow' factor. Additionally, the verb can be modified by adverbs like '心底' (shinsoko - from the bottom of one's heart) or 'ひどく' (hidoku - terribly) to intensify the degree of surprise caused. Understanding these modifiers helps in reaching a B2 or C1 level of fluency.

Causative-Passive: 驚かせられる (odorokaserareru) means 'to be made to be surprised' (forced surprise), often used when one is involuntarily impressed by something.

彼の博学さにはいつも驚かせられる。
I am always amazed (made to be surprised) by his erudition.

You will encounter 驚かせる in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from casual banter to high-stakes news reporting. In Japanese variety shows (バラエティ番組), the hosts often use this verb when introducing a 'surprise guest' or a shocking revelation about a celebrity. You'll hear phrases like '視聴者を驚かせる新事実' (A new fact that will surprise the viewers). The word is central to the entertainment industry's goal of eliciting strong emotional reactions from the audience. It's also a staple in 'prank' culture, which is quite popular in Japanese media.

In News and Journalism: News anchors use it to describe unexpected economic shifts or sports upsets. '日本代表が世界を驚かせた' (The Japanese national team surprised the world) is a classic headline after a major sports victory.

「わっ！」と言って友達を驚かせた。
I said 'Wah!' and surprised my friend.

In literature and manga, characters might use 驚かせる to describe their intentions or their feelings about someone else's actions. A villain might say, '私を驚かせるとは、大したものだ' (To surprise me... you are quite something). This usage highlights the power dynamics involved; surprising someone who is usually composed is a sign of strength or skill. In everyday life, you might hear a parent telling a child '人を驚かせてはいけません' (You shouldn't startle people), emphasizing the social rule against causing sudden distress. The verb thus bridges the gap between entertainment and social etiquette.

In Advertising: Companies use '驚かせる価格' (surprising prices) or '世界を驚かせる機能' (features that surprise the world) to market their products as revolutionary.

彼はいつも奇抜な格好で周囲を驚かせる。
He always surprises those around him with his eccentric outfits.

Another common place to hear this is in sports commentary. When an underdog team performs well, the commentator will inevitably say they are 'surprising' the fans. The verb is also used in the context of 'magic tricks' (手品). A magician's goal is to '驚かせる' the audience. In these settings, the word is associated with wonder and delight. Conversely, in a horror movie context, it refers to 'jump scares.' Hearing the word in different intonations—excited, annoyed, or impressed—will help you grasp its wide emotional spectrum. Pay attention to how it's used in anime, where dramatic reveals are often followed by a character saying '驚かせやがって' (You sure surprised me/damn you for surprising me).

Common Collocation: '度肝を抜く' (dogimo wo nuku) is a more idiomatic and intense way to say 'to surprise someone' (to knock someone's socks off), but 'odorokaseru' remains the standard.

その結末は観客を大いに驚かせた。
The ending greatly surprised the audience.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with 驚かせる is confusing it with the intransitive base 驚く (odoroku). In English, 'to surprise' functions as both a transitive verb ('He surprised me') and can be used in the passive ('I was surprised'). In Japanese, these are distinct verbs. You cannot say '私は驚かせた' to mean 'I was surprised'; that actually means 'I surprised [someone/something],' and without an object, it sounds incomplete. If you are the one feeling the emotion, you must use 驚く (odoroku). If you are the cause, use 驚かせる.

Particle Confusion: Mistaking を (wo) for に (ni). While 'odoroku' uses に to indicate the cause (ニュースに驚く), 'odorokaseru' uses を to indicate the person being surprised (彼を驚かせる).

❌ 私は彼に驚かせた。
✅ 私は彼を驚かせた。
Correct: I surprised him.

Another mistake is using 驚かせる for very mild or insignificant things where 'bikkuri saseru' would be more appropriate. 驚かせる carries a bit more 'weight' and is often used for something that has a lasting impact or is objectively impressive. If you just jump out from behind a door, 'bikkuri saseru' is the natural choice. Using 'odorokaseru' there might sound a bit overly dramatic or formal. Additionally, learners often forget the causative-passive form '驚かせられる' when they want to express that they are 'continually amazed' by someone's talent or a recurring phenomenon. This form is very natural in Japanese but feels clunky to English speakers ('I am made to surprise'?).

Misusing Potential Form: Sometimes learners say 'odorokasereru' (to be able to surprise) when they mean 'odorokeru' (to be able to be surprised). These are very different!

❌ 彼は私を驚く。
✅ 彼は私を驚かせる。
He surprises me. (Odoroku cannot take an object).

Finally, there is the nuance of 'frightening' vs. 'surprising.' While 驚かせる is mostly 'to surprise,' if the surprise is negative or scary, it can overlap with 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru - to frighten). However, 驚かせる is generally neutral-to-positive unless the context specifically implies fear. Using it when someone is actually terrified might understate the situation. For example, if a ghost appears, the person is 'frightened' (kowagaru), and the ghost 'frightens' (kowagaraseru) them. If a friend jumps out, they 'surprise' (odorokaseru) them. Distinguishing between 'shock' and 'fear' is key to using this verb accurately in emotional descriptions.

Overusing Formal Forms: In very casual speech, 'odorokasu' (the older/shorter causative) is sometimes heard, but 'odorokaseru' is the standard. Don't mix them up in formal writing.

Japanese has several ways to express the idea of causing surprise, and choosing the right one depends on the intensity and the setting. The most common alternative to 驚かせる is びっくりさせる (bikkuri saseru). 'Bikkuri' is an onomatopoeic word (gitaigo) that mimics the sound or feeling of a sudden jump. It is much more colloquial and is used frequently in daily life for small surprises. If you drop a plate and someone jumps, you'd say 'Bikkuri sasete gomen!' (Sorry for startling you!). In contrast, 'Odorokaseru' is more suitable for a newspaper headline or a formal speech about a company's achievements.

驚かせる vs. びっくりさせる: 惊かせる (Odorokaseru) is formal, deep, and can be positive/negative. びっくりさせる (Bikkuri saseru) is casual, sudden, and usually physical.

そのニュースは国民を驚かせた。
The news surprised the nation. (Formal/Scale)

Another powerful alternative is 肝を冷やす (kimo wo hiyasu), which literally means 'to chill the liver' but means 'to be frightened' or 'to have a close call.' If you want to say you 'frightened' someone significantly, you might use 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru). For a surprise that is specifically 'wonderful' or 'moving,' you might use 感動させる (kandou saseru - to move/touch someone). While 驚かせる focuses on the shock, 感動させる focuses on the emotional resonance. In academic or literary contexts, you might see 震撼させる (shinkan saseru), which means 'to shake' or 'to shock' (as in 'shaking the foundations of the world'). This is much more intense than a simple surprise.

呆れさせる (Akiresaseru): This means 'to shock someone in a bad way' or 'to make someone fed up/appalled.' It's the negative cousin of 驚かせる.

彼の無責任な行動は周囲を呆れさせた。
His irresponsible behavior shocked (appalled) everyone.

Finally, there is 'Tamagiru' (魂消る), a very old/dialect-heavy word for being extremely surprised (literally 'soul vanishing'). While you won't use it, you might hear it in period dramas. For modern learners, focusing on the distinction between 'Odorokaseru' (general/formal), 'Bikkuri saseru' (casual/physical), and 'Kandou saseru' (positive/emotional) will cover 95% of situations. Remember that 'Odorokaseru' is the base from which many idiomatic expressions grow, such as '世間を驚かせる' (to shock the world), making it an essential part of a B1-level vocabulary.

Summary Table: - Odorokaseru: General, can be formal.
- Bikkuri saseru: Casual, sudden.
- Kandou saseru: Emotional, positive.
- Akiresaseru: Shocking, negative.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 驚 contains the element for 'horse' (馬). This is because horses are famously easily startled or 'surprised' by sudden movements, reflecting the original physical nature of the word.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /o.do.ɾo.ka.se.ɾu/

US /oʊ.doʊ.roʊ.kɑː.seɪ.ruː/

Japanese has pitch accent, not stress. In Tokyo dialect, 'o-DO-RO-KA-SE-RU' has a rise on the second syllable.

Rhymes With

Miseru (to show) Oshieru (to teach) Tateru (to build) Kangaeru (to think) Kotaeru (to answer) Tsutaeru (to convey) Kaeru (to change) Ataeru (to give)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ru' with a heavy English 'r' instead of the Japanese flick.
Misplacing the pitch accent on the first syllable.
Failing to clearly pronounce the 'ka' syllable in the middle.
Treating 'odorokaseru' as five separate English-style stressed beats.
Confusing the vowel length of 'o' and 'u'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 驚 is complex but common at the B1 level.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji correctly requires attention to the many strokes (22 strokes).

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, though the causative ending requires practice.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable due to the distinct 'odoroka-' root.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

驚く (odoroku) びっくり (bikkuri) させる (saseru - causative auxiliary) ニュース (nyuusu) 友達 (tomodachi)

Learn Next

感動させる (kandou saseru) 笑わせる (warawaseru) 泣かせる (nakaseru) 怒らせる (okoraseru) 呆れる (akireru)

Advanced

震撼させる (shinkan saseru) 驚天動地 (kyouten douchi) 肝を冷やす (kimo wo hiyasu) 意表を突く (ihyou wo tsuku) 度肝を抜く (dogimo wo nuku)

Grammar to Know

Causative Form (-aseru)

驚く (odoroku) -> 驚かせる (odorokaseru)

Transitive vs. Intransitive Pairs

驚く (be surprised) vs. 驚かせる (surprise someone)

Causative-Passive Form (-aserareru)

私は彼の才能に驚かせられた。

Te-form for Cause and Effect

大きな声を出して、友達を驚かせた。

Potential Form of Causative

彼はその技術で世界を驚かせることができる。

Examples by Level

私は友達を驚かせた。

I surprised my friend.

Basic transitive structure: [Subject] wa [Object] wo [Verb].

彼は私を驚かせました。

He surprised me.

Polite form of the verb: odorokasemasu.

驚かせないでください。

Please don't surprise me.

Negative request: [Verb-nai] + de kudasai.

大きな声で驚かせる。

To surprise (someone) with a loud voice.

Adverbial phrase: [Noun] de (by means of).

猫を驚かせた。

I surprised the cat.

Object can be an animal as well as a person.

先生を驚かせたいです。

I want to surprise the teacher.

Desire form: [Verb-stem] + tai desu.

だれを驚かせましたか？

Who did you surprise?

Question form using the interrogative 'dare' (who).

妹を驚かせて、笑った。

I surprised my little sister and laughed.

Te-form used to connect two actions: odorokasete.

プレゼントで母を驚かせた。

I surprised my mother with a present.

Instrumental particle 'de' used for the gift.

急に走って、みんなを驚かせた。

I ran suddenly and surprised everyone.

Conjunction of an action (hashitte) and its result.

そんなに驚かせないでよ！

Don't surprise me like that!

Casual negative request with sentence-ending particle 'yo'.

彼はいつも人を驚かせるのが好きだ。

He always likes to surprise people.

Nominalization: [Verb] + no ga suki (likes doing...).

手品で子供たちを驚かせました。

I surprised the children with a magic trick.

Setting the scene with a specific method (手品で).

テストの点で父を驚かせたい。

I want to surprise my father with my test score.

Using a result to cause the surprise.

彼女は歌で世界を驚かせるだろう。

She will probably surprise the world with her singing.

Future/Probability form: [Verb] + darou.

弟を驚かせようとしたが、失敗した。

I tried to surprise my brother, but I failed.

Volitional form + to suru (try to do something).

そのニュースは日本中を驚かせた。

The news surprised all of Japan.

Using 'juu' to mean 'all over' or 'throughout'.

最新の技術で観客を驚かせるつもりです。

We intend to surprise the audience with the latest technology.

Expression of intent: [Verb] + tsumori desu.

彼は自分の才能で周囲を驚かせ続けている。

He continues to surprise those around him with his talent.

Continuous action: [Verb-stem] + tsuzukeru.

驚かせるつもりはなかったのですが、すみません。

I didn't mean to surprise you, I'm sorry.

Past negative intent: tsumori wa nakatta.

彼女の成功は、彼女を知るすべての人を驚かせた。

Her success surprised everyone who knows her.

Relative clause: [kanojo wo shiru] subete no hito.

人を驚かせるようなことはやめなさい。

Stop doing things that surprise/startle people.

Imperative: [Verb-stem] + nasai.

この映画の結末はきっとあなたを驚かせるでしょう。

The ending of this movie will surely surprise you.

Emphasis with 'kitto' (surely).

その少年は大人たちを驚かせるほどの知識を持っていた。

The boy had enough knowledge to surprise adults.

Extent marker: [Verb] + hodo no (to the extent of).

その発見は科学界を驚かせるに十分なものだった。

The discovery was enough to surprise the scientific community.

Structure: [Verb] + ni juubun na (sufficient to...).

彼はいつも奇抜な行動で世間を驚かせている。

He is always surprising the public with his eccentric behavior.

Transitive action affecting 'seken' (society).

私は彼の博学さにはいつも驚かせられる。

I am always amazed (made to be surprised) by his erudition.

Causative-passive form: odorokaserareru.

市場を驚かせるような新製品を開発しています。

We are developing a new product that will surprise the market.

Modifying a noun: [Verb] + you na + [Noun].

あっと驚かせるような演出を考えてください。

Please think of a performance that will really wow the audience.

Idiomatic adverb: 'atto' (suddenly/wow).

彼の突然の辞任は政界を大きく驚かせた。

His sudden resignation greatly surprised the political world.

Adverbial use of 'ookiku' (greatly).

驚かせるわけではないが、準備はしておいたほうがいい。

I'm not trying to alarm you, but you should be prepared.

Explanatory negative: wake dewa nai.

その選手は怪我から復帰し、周囲を驚かせるプレーを見せた。

The player returned from injury and showed play that surprised everyone.

Complex sentence with te-form and relative clause.

その作家は、読者を驚かせるような巧みな伏線を張っていた。

The author laid out skillful foreshadowing to surprise the readers.

Literary context: 'fuseki wo haru' (laying groundwork).

彼の沈着冷静な態度は、逆に敵を驚かせた。

His calm and composed attitude, conversely, surprised his enemies.

Contrastive adverb: 'gyaku ni' (conversely).

そのベンチャー企業は、既存の概念を打ち破る技術で業界を驚かせた。

The venture company surprised the industry with technology that shattered existing concepts.

Strong verb: 'uchiyaburu' (to break/shatter).

彼は、期せずして世間を驚かせる結果を招いてしまった。

He unintentionally brought about a result that shocked the public.

Adverb: 'kisezushite' (without planning/unexpectedly).

この建築は、その斬新なデザインで見る者を驚かせる。

This architecture surprises those who see it with its innovative design.

Noun phrase: 'miru mono' (those who see/the viewer).

彼女の変貌ぶりは、旧友たちを驚かせるに足るものだった。

The extent of her transformation was enough to surprise her old friends.

Advanced structure: [Verb] + ni taru (be sufficient to).

その報道は、国民を驚かせると同時に、深い悲しみを与えた。

The report surprised the nation and, at the same time, caused deep sadness.

Simultaneous occurrence: [Verb] + to douji ni.

人を驚かせる演出も、度が過ぎれば不快感を与える。

Performances intended to surprise people can cause discomfort if they go too far.

Conditional: [Noun] + mo, [Condition] + ba.

その学説は、当時の学会の常識を根底から覆し、世界を驚かせた。

The theory overturned the common sense of the academic world of that time from its foundations and surprised the world.

Idiom: 'kontei kara kutsugaesu' (overturn from the roots).

彼の言動は、計算されたものか天然のものか、常に周囲を驚かせる。

Whether his behavior is calculated or natural, it always surprises those around him.

Alternative structure: A ka B ka.

歴史の転換点には、しばしば人々を驚かせるような劇的な事件が起こる。

At turning points in history, dramatic incidents that surprise people often occur.

Formal adverb: 'shibashiba' (frequently).

その指揮者の解釈は、聴衆のみならず楽団員をも驚かせるほど独創的だった。

The conductor's interpretation was so creative that it surprised not only the audience but also the orchestra members.

Structure: 'A nomi narazu B mo' (not only A but also B).

自らの限界を突破し、自らを驚かせることこそが、成長の本質である。

Breaking through one's own limits and surprising oneself is the essence of growth.

Emphasis: 'koso ga' (precisely/indeed).

その政治家の不用意な発言は、同盟国を驚かせるという外交的失態を招いた。

The politician's careless remarks led to the diplomatic blunder of surprising their allies.

Appositive clause: '... to iu [Noun]'.

万人の意表を突いて驚かせることは、芸術家にとって一つの至上命題である。

Catching everyone off guard and surprising them is a supreme mission for an artist.

Idiom: 'ihyou wo tsuku' (to catch someone off guard).

彼は、端なくも自らの出生の秘密を知り、周囲を驚かせるような行動に出た。

He unexpectedly learned the secret of his birth and took actions that surprised those around him.

Adverb: 'hashinakumo' (accidentally/unexpectedly).

Common Collocations

世界を驚かせる

周囲を驚かせる

世間を驚かせる

あっと驚かせる

意表を突いて驚かせる

度肝を抜いて驚かせる

人を驚かせるのが好き

ニュースで驚かせる

結果で驚かせる

不意に驚かせる

Common Phrases

驚かせないでよ

— Don't scare/surprise me! Used when someone startles you suddenly.

うわっ！もう、驚かせないでよ。

驚かせるつもりはなかった

— I didn't mean to surprise you. A common apology for an accidental startle.

驚かせるつもりはなかったんだ、ごめん。

あっと驚かせる

— To give someone a big, pleasant surprise. Used in marketing and entertainment.

世界をあっと驚かせる新製品を発表する。

世間を驚かせるニュース

— News that shocks the public. Used in journalism.

それは世間を驚かせる大ニュースだった。

人を驚かせるようなこと

— Things that surprise people (often implies pranks or odd behavior).

人を驚かせるようなことはやめなさい。

自分を驚かせる

— To surprise oneself (by achieving more than expected).

自分を驚かせるような記録を出したい。

周囲を驚かせるスピード

— A speed that surprises those around. Used for rapid growth or movement.

彼は周囲を驚かせるスピードで出世した。

観客を驚かせる演出

— A performance/staging that surprises the audience.

観客を驚かせる演出が盛りだくさんだ。

驚かせた罰として

— As punishment for surprising me. Used playfully among friends.

驚かせた罰として、おごってね。

驚かせるに足る理由

— A reason sufficient to cause surprise.

彼には世間を驚かせるに足る理由があった。

Often Confused With

驚かせる vs 驚く (odoroku)

English speakers often use 'odorokaseru' when they mean 'I was surprised' (odoroku).

驚かせる vs 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru)

This means 'to frighten.' Odorokaseru is just 'to surprise' (can be good or bad).

驚かせる vs 呆れさせる (akiresaseru)

This is specifically for a 'bad' or 'disappointing' surprise.

Idioms & Expressions

"度肝を抜く"

— To astound or shock someone completely. Usually used for incredible feats.

彼の豪速球はバッターの度肝を抜いた。

Casual/Informal

"意表を突く"

— To catch someone off guard or do the unexpected.

彼は意表を突く質問で面接官を驚かせた。

Neutral

"目を見張る"

— To be wide-eyed with surprise or admiration.

彼女の美しさには目を見張るものがある。

Literary

"腰を抜かす"

— To be so surprised or scared that one's legs give way.

幽霊を見て腰を抜かした。

Casual

"鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったよう"

— To look blank with surprise (like a pigeon hit by a pea-shooter).

彼は鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったような顔で私を見た。

Idiomatic

"開いた口が塞がらない"

— To be speechless with shock or disgust (one's mouth hangs open).

彼のあまりの失礼さに、開いた口が塞がらなかった。

Neutral

"耳を疑う"

— To not believe one's ears; to be shocked by what one hears.

信じられないニュースに耳を疑った。

Neutral

"目を疑う"

— To not believe one's eyes; to be shocked by what one sees.

目の前の惨状に目を疑った。

Neutral

"言葉を失う"

— To be at a loss for words due to surprise or shock.

あまりの美しさに言葉を失った。

Neutral

"肝を冷やす"

— To be chilled to the bone with fear or a sudden shock.

事故になりそうで肝を冷やした。

Neutral

Easily Confused

驚かせる vs びっくりさせる

Both mean to surprise.

Bikkuri saseru is casual and focuses on the physical startle; odorokaseru is more formal and covers deep emotional astonishment.

友達をびっくりさせる vs 世界を驚かせる

驚かせる vs 驚かす

They are both causative forms of odoroku.

Odorokasu is the short causative, often used in more casual or older speech. Odorokaseru is the standard long causative.

人を驚かすな vs 人を驚かせるのは良くない

驚かせる vs 感動させる

Both involve causing a strong emotion.

Kandou saseru is always positive and deep (moving/touching), while odorokaseru is about the shock of the unexpected.

映画で人を感動させる

驚かせる vs 震撼させる

Both mean to shock.

Shinkan saseru is much more intense and formal, usually used for disasters or major political scandals.

世界を震撼させた事件

驚かせる vs 呆れさせる

Both involve a 'shock'.

Akiresaseru implies the recipient is fed up or has lost respect, whereas odorokaseru is neutral.

嘘をついて親を呆れさせる

Sentence Patterns

[Person] を驚かせる

友達を驚かせる。

[Method] で [Person] を驚かせる

プレゼントで母を驚かせる。

[Subject] は [Person] を驚かせるつもりだ

彼は彼女を驚かせるつもりだ。

驚かせるつもりはなかった

驚かせるつもりはなかったんです。

[Subject] に驚かせられる

彼の才能に驚かせられる。

あっと驚かせる [Noun]

あっと驚かせる演出。

驚かせるに足る [Noun]

驚かせるに足る理由。

意表を突いて驚かせる

意表を突いて観客を驚かせる。

Word Family

Nouns

驚き (odoroki) - surprise/wonder

驚愕 (kyougaku) - shock/astonishment

Verbs

驚く (odoroku) - to be surprised (intransitive)

驚かす (odorokasu) - to surprise (transitive, short form)

Adjectives

驚くべき (odorokubeki) - surprising/astonishing

驚異的な (kyouiteki na) - phenomenal/miraculous

びっくり (bikkuri) - surprise (onomatopoeia)

仰天 (gyouten) - being amazed/astounded

震撼 (shinkan) - shock/shaking

愕然 (gakuzen) - being stunned/aghast

不意 (fui) - sudden/unexpected

How to Use It

frequency

High in media, news, and storytelling; moderate in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'odorokaseru' to mean 'I feel surprised'. → 驚きました (Odorokimashita).
Odorokaseru is transitive; it needs an object. You cannot be the object of your own 'odorokaseru' in that way.
Using particle 'ni' for the person being surprised. → 彼を驚かせる (Kare WO odorokaseru).
Causative verbs of emotion take 'wo' for the person who is made to feel the emotion.
Confusing 'odorokaseru' with 'kowagaraseru'. → 驚かせる (surprise) vs 怖がらせる (scare).
If the goal is to make someone jump because they are scared, use kowagaraseru. If it's just a surprise, use odorokaseru.
Using 'odorokaseru' for very minor, trivial things in formal writing. → Use 'bikkuri saseru' or a different expression.
Odorokaseru has a certain weight to it. Using it for 'I surprised my friend by wearing a different hat' might sound slightly off in a formal context.
Forgetting to conjugate to 'odorokaserareru' for 'I am amazed by...' → 〜に驚かせられる (I am amazed by...).
To express being impressed/amazed by someone's skill, the causative-passive is the most natural high-level form.

Tips

Causative Logic

Remember that '-aseru' always means 'to make/cause.' So 'odorok-aseru' is 'to cause surprise.' This logic applies to many Japanese emotional verbs.

Polite Warnings

Before telling someone shocking news, use '驚かせるつもりはないのですが...' (I don't mean to alarm you, but...) to soften the blow. It's very polite.

Formal vs. Casual

In your essays, use 'odorokaseru.' In your text messages to friends, 'bikkuri saseru' or just 'bikkuri shita!' (I was surprised!) is much more natural.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 驚 is made of 'horse' (馬) and 'respect/stiffen' (敬). Think of a horse stiffening in respect/fear when it is surprised.

Reaction Phrases

When you are surprised, you say 'Odorokimashita!' (I was surprised!). You only use 'Odorokaseru' if you are talking about the person who did it to you.

The 'Atto' Factor

Adding 'あっと' (atto) before 'odorokaseru' makes it sound like a 'wow' factor surprise. Use this when talking about cool features or great performances.

News Keywords

If you hear 'odorokaseru' in a news report, pay attention to the subject. It's usually a country, a famous person, or a new technology.

Door-Causative

O-DOOR-KA-SERU. You cause the door to slam. It's a simple way to remember the sound and the meaning.

Prank Culture

In Japan, 'dokkiri' is the word for pranks. The verb used for the action of the prank is almost always 'odorokaseru'.

Causative-Passive

The form 'odorokaserareru' is common for saying you are 'continually amazed' by something. It's a very 'Japanese' way to express high praise.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine an 'O-DOOR' (odor) that suddenly slams shut, making you 'KA-SE-RU' (cause) a surprise to everyone in the room. Or think: 'Oh! Door! Okay, Sir! You surprised me!'

Visual Association

Picture a person jumping out from behind a large Japanese folding screen (byoubu) with a 'surprise!' sign. The person jumping is 'odorokaseru'-ing the viewer.

Word Web

Surprise Shock Causative Emotion Transitive Prank Astonish Startle

Challenge

Try to use 'odorokaseru' in three different contexts today: one for a prank, one for a gift, and one for a piece of news you heard.

Word Origin

The verb comes from the Old Japanese root 'odoru' (to jump or dance) combined with the concept of the soul or spirit being shaken. The 'k' sound was added to form 'odoroku' (to be surprised), and the causative '-aseru' was later appended to create the transitive version.

Original meaning: Originally, it implied a physical jumping or a sudden awakening of the senses due to an external stimulus.

Japonic family, specifically derived from the Yamato Kotoba (native Japanese) lineage.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to 'odorokaseru' elderly people or those in quiet environments like libraries or trains, as it is considered quite rude.

In English, we often use 'surprise' for both the cause and the feeling. Learners must separate these in Japanese.

The TV show 'Dokkiri GP' (Prank Grand Prix) is a prime example of 'odorokaseru' in action. The phrase 'Sekai wo odorokaseru' is often used in headlines about Shohei Ohtani's baseball feats. In the anime 'One Piece', characters' reactions to surprises are legendary 'odoroku' moments caused by 'odorokaseru' events.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Surprise Parties

サプライズで驚かせる
驚かせる準備
彼女を驚かせよう
驚かせるタイミング

News/Media

世界を驚かせたニュース
国民を驚かせる
衝撃の事実で驚かせる
ファンを驚かせる発表

Personal Achievements

才能で周囲を驚かせる
成長した姿で驚かせる
結果を出して驚かせる
自分を驚かせる

Pranks

いたずらで驚かせる
後ろから驚かせる
わざと驚かせる
驚かせすぎだよ

Business/Innovation

市場を驚かせる製品
競合他社を驚かせる
斬新なアイデアで驚かせる
投資家を驚かせる

Conversation Starters

"最近、何か人を驚かせるようなことがありましたか？ (Has anything happened recently that surprised people?)"

"サプライズで人を驚かせるのは好きですか？ (Do you like surprising people with surprises?)"

"今までで一番人を驚かせたエピソードを教えてください。 (Tell me an episode where you surprised someone the most.)"

"世界を驚かせるような発明をするとしたら、何を作りたいですか？ (If you were to make an invention that surprises the world, what would you make?)"

"驚かせるつもりが、逆に驚かされたことはありますか？ (Have you ever intended to surprise someone but ended up being surprised yourself?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、誰かを驚かせた、あるいは驚かせようとした出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event today where you surprised or tried to surprise someone.)

「世界を驚かせる」という言葉から、どんな人物や出来事を連想しますか？ (What kind of person or event do you associate with the phrase 'surprising the world'?)

人を驚かせることが、人間関係にどのような影響を与えると思いますか？ (What impact do you think surprising people has on human relationships?)

もし自分がマジシャンだったら、どんなマジックで観客を驚かせたいですか？ (If you were a magician, what kind of magic would you want to surprise the audience with?)

驚かせることと、安心させること、どちらが大切だと思いますか？ (Which do you think is more important: surprising someone or putting them at ease?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. 'Odorokaseru' means 'to surprise someone else.' If you are the one feeling surprised, use the intransitive verb 'odoroku' (驚く). This is a common mistake for English speakers because 'surprise' works both ways in English.

'Bikkuri saseru' is more casual and usually refers to a sudden, physical startle (like jumping when someone says 'Boo!'). 'Odorokaseru' is more formal and can refer to a deeper, more significant astonishment, like a world-changing discovery.

No, it is neutral. You can surprise someone with a wonderful gift (positive) or with a sudden loud noise that scares them (negative). The context determines whether the surprise is good or bad.

You can say '驚かせないでください' (Odorokasenai de kudasai) for polite situations, or '驚かせないでよ' (Odorokasenai de yo) for friends. It's a very common phrase when someone startles you.

The person who gets surprised is marked with the particle を (wo). The thing used to cause the surprise is marked with で (de). For example: 'Present DE kanojo WO odorokaseru.'

Yes, you can use it to say you surprised a cat, a dog, or any other creature. It works the same way as with people.

Yes, '驚かす' (odorokasu) is a shorter causative form. It is slightly more casual or used in certain idiomatic expressions, but 'odorokaseru' is the standard form taught to learners.

It means 'to surprise the world.' It is a very common phrase in news headlines to describe a major achievement, a new invention, or a shocking event that has global impact.

Since it is an Ichidan (Ru) verb, the potential form is '驚かせられる' (odorokasereru), which means 'to be able to surprise.' Note that this sounds similar to the passive form.

Use 'kandou saseru' when you want to emphasize that the surprise is emotionally moving or touching. 'Odorokaseru' is more about the 'shock' or 'unexpectedness' itself.