be surprised
N3- Onyomi
- キョウ
- Kunyomi
- おどろ(く)
- Stroke count
- 22
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 驚 down and you get 敬 (respect) — a hand tapping a reminder to stand a little straighter, out of respect, and beside it 馬 (horse) — a horse with its mane and four legs. Picture a horse standing in profile, put 驚 inside it, and let that scene stand for "be surprised" — be surprised. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 22
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は22画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 22 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
驚く
odoroku
to be surprised
驚いて
odoroite
be surprised — te-form
驚きます
odorokimasu
be surprised — polite present
驚かない
odorokanai
be surprised — plain negative
驚きました
odorokimashita
be surprised — polite past
驚きません
odorokimasen
be surprised — polite negative
Example sentences (4)
大きい音がして、とても驚きました。
おおきい おと が して、とても おどろきました。
ookii oto ga shite, totemo odorokimashita.
There was a loud noise and I was very surprised.
初めて雪を見たとき、子どもはとても驚きました。
はじめて ゆき を みた とき、こども は とても おどろきました。
hajimete yuki o mita toki, kodomo wa totemo odorokimashita.
When the child saw snow for the first time, they were very surprised.
都会に住んでいると、家賃が高くて驚きます。
とかい に すんでいる と、やちん が たかくて おどろきます。
tokai ni sundeiru to, yachin ga takakute odorokimasu.
When you live in the city, you are surprised at how high the rent is.
文化が違うので、驚くことがときどきあります。
ぶんか が ちがう ので、おどろく こと が ときどき あります。
bunka ga chigau node, odoroku koto ga tokidoki arimasu.
Cultures differ, so there are sometimes surprises.