surprise

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 驚 denotes surprise or causing surprise; its on-reading is きょう, and its kun-readings are おどろく and おどろかす.
• Basic usage: 驚く is intransitive and means to be surprised, while 驚かす is transitive and means to surprise someone.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 驚く / 驚かす
  • 驚く: This verb describes the subject becoming surprised by a sudden call or unexpected result. Example: 突然名前を呼ばれて驚いた。
  • 驚かす: This verb describes causing someone else, such as a friend or audience member, to be surprised. Example: 急に後ろから声をかけて友達を驚かせた。