Entry
ドッキリ
dokkiri
ドッキリ (dokkiri) is an expression for a sudden feeling of being startled or shocked.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ドッキリ (dokkiri) describes a sudden heart-pounding sensation or a feeling of surprise and shock that comes unexpectedly, often caused by an unforeseen event or a joke.
- Describes a sudden feeling of being startled or shocked.
- Refers to a practical joke or prank intended to surprise someone.
Sense Map
Feeling Startled/Shocked
Expresses a sudden physical or emotional reaction of surprise or shock.
夜道で物音がしてドッキリした。
Prank/Practical Joke
Refers to an action or situation deliberately created to surprise or fool someone.
友達にドッキリを仕掛けた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ドッキリする
Used to express the action of 'being suddenly startled' or 'getting a shock'. This is the 'suru' verb form of ドッキリ.
〜にドッキリする
Used to indicate that someone was startled 'by' or 'at' something (an object or situation).
ドッキリを仕掛ける
Means 'to play a prank' or 'to set up a practical joke' on someone.
ドッキリにかかる
Means 'to fall for a prank' or 'to be caught in a practical joke' made by someone else.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドッキリと胸が鳴る
One's heart suddenly pounds/jumps
ドッキリ企画
Prank project/plan
ドッキリ番組
Prank TV show
ドッキリさせる
To make someone startled/shocked
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing an unexpected sound | neutral | Indicates a spontaneous startled reaction to an unforeseen auditory stimulus, such as a strange noise at night. |
| Receiving a surprise from friends | positive/neutral | Used to describe the feeling of shock or surprise from a pleasant gift or event, or a lighthearted joke. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びっくり びっくり / similar | Use びっくり when you want to express general surprise or a stronger sense of being astonished, covering a wide range of situations, from pleasant to scary. | びっくり is broader and doesn't always carry the same 'sudden' connotation as ドッキリ. ドッキリ often focuses more on a physical reaction or a brief moment of shock. | びっくりした |
どきっと どきっと / similar | Use ドキッと when you want to describe the sound or sensation of your heart suddenly pounding hard due to surprise, anxiety, or even a romantic flutter. | ドキッと tends to be more specific to a heart reaction and can be used for positive reactions (e.g., towards someone you like), while ドッキリ is broader, covering both the feeling of shock and the act of 'pranking'. | 急にドキッとした |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ドッキリ for general 'surprise' only.
ドッキリ is more specific to 'sudden startling' or 'pranks'. For general surprise, びっくり is more commonly used.
Assuming ドッキリ always has a negative connotation.
While it can mean an unpleasant shock, ドッキリ is also often used in the context of humorous pranks or pleasant surprises.
Examples
Examples
夜道で物音がしてドッキリした。
よみちでものねがしてドッキリした。
There was a sound on the night road and I was startled.
LiteralDescribes the sudden feeling of being startled by an unexpected sound.
友達にドッキリを仕掛けたら、見事に引っかかった。
ともだちにドッキリをしかけたら、みごとにひっかかった。
After I played a prank on my friend, they completely fell for it.
FigurativeIllustrates the act of 'playing a prank' and its outcome.
彼の突然の告白に、私の胸はどっきりとした。
かれのとつぜんのこくはくに、わたしのむねはどっきりとした。
At his sudden confession, my heart gave a sudden thump.
LiteralDescribes a startled feeling related to emotions.
テレビのドッキリ番組を見て、思わず笑ってしまった。
てれびのドッキリばんぐみをみて、おもわずわらってしまった。
Watching the prank TV show, I inadvertently laughed.
VisualIllustrates the 'prank' context within visual entertainment.
宝くじが当たったと聞いて、心臓がドッキリした。
たからくじがあたったときいて、しんぞうがドッキリした。
Hearing that I won the lottery, my heart gave a sudden thump.
LiteralDescribes a feeling of pleasant shock or surprise.
Similar Words
ドキッと
dokitto
It describes the sudden sensation of your heart skipping a beat or jumping due to surprise, fear, or romantic excitement. Describes a sudden heart throb due to shock or emotion.
びっくり
bikkuri
The feeling of being suddenly surprised or startled by something unexpected. More general for expressing surprise in various situations.
Questions
What is the difference between ドッキリ and びっくり?
ドッキリ focuses on a sudden feeling of shock or the act of a deliberate 'prank'. びっくり, on the other hand, is a general expression for surprise in a wide range of situations, both good and bad.
Can ドッキリ have a positive meaning?
Yes, ドッキリ can have a positive meaning, especially when referring to pleasant 'surprises' or humorous 'pranks' among friends, even if it causes a momentary shock.
Is ドッキリ a verb?
ドッキリ itself is an onomatopoeic interjection or a noun. However, it can become a verb by adding 'する' to form ドッキリする (dokkiri suru), meaning 'to feel startled/shocked'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1009060
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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