驚く

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 驚く (おどろく) adds okurigana く to surprise 驚, forming an intransitive verb.
• Basic usage: It describes being startled by a sudden call or surprised by an unexpectedly empty box.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Startle and broader surprise
  • 驚く does not require fear; any sharp mismatch with expectation can trigger the reaction.