How to say "wonder" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 奇跡きせきno-adjectiveCovers 'wonder' only in the sense of a marvel or miracle: an event so extraordinary it seems beyond natural explanation. For everyday surprise or amazement, this is not the word you want.
- 驚きおどろきnounThis is the feeling itself: the surprise, astonishment, or wonder you experience when something amazes you, as in staring at something in wonder. It names the reaction, never the wondrous thing.
- 驚異きょういno-adjectiveUse this for 'wonder' as a thing: the wonders of nature or of the world, something so astonishing it fills people with amazement. It can also name that amazement itself.
- 驚嘆きょうたんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbNames the reaction of being struck with wonder and admiration, as when people marvel at something extraordinary. If you want the wondrous thing itself rather than the response, choose another word.
- 不可思議ふかしぎna-adjective, nounChoose this when 'wonder' shades into mystery: something inexplicable that defies understanding. Its core sense is the mysterious, so it fits wonders that puzzle rather than merely amaze.
Use 「驚き」 for the feeling of wonder, 驚嘆 for being struck with wonder and admiration, 驚異 for the wondrous thing itself, 奇跡 when it borders on miracle, and 不可思議 for the inexplicable.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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