What Is “Dokkiri”? The Japanese Word for Sudden Shock or Surprise

Ever experienced a moment where your heart skipped a beat from pure shock?

Or saw someone completely fooled by a prank?

That’s when the Japanese word “Dokkiri” (どっきり) comes into play — an expression of sudden, heart-jumping surprise.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

What is “Dokkiri” (どっきり) ?

“Dokkiri” is a Japanese word that captures a sudden emotional shock — usually from surprise, alarm, or being tricked.

It often appears in contexts like:

• A prank or hidden-camera situation
• Being startled by unexpected news
• A sudden, strong emotional jolt

While “dokkiri” sounds like an onomatopoeia, it’s technically not one.

Instead, it’s considered an “almost onomatopoeia” — derived from the onomatopoeic feeling of doki (heart thump), but now used grammatically as a noun.

You’ll often see it in forms like:

• dokkiri suru (to be startled)
• dokkiri shita (was startled)
• dokkiri keikaku (a surprise prank plan)

Pronunciation

dok-kiri
(Say it with a bit of punch — like something jumped out at you!)

Categories

Emotion

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What Does “Dokkiri” Look Like?

It looks like wide eyes, a heart skipping a beat, a gasp escaping your lips.

Like being suddenly called out in public.
Like turning a corner and someone jumps out.
Like realizing you left your wallet at home.

How Do You Say It?

Say it with a touch of tension — a punch of surprise:
Dokkiri!

Someone jumps out in a prank → dokkiri!
You’re told your presentation starts now → dokkiri!

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Prank show setup

A hidden camera prank was planned…
and when the surprise was revealed —
dokkiri!

Example 2: Sudden alarm

I checked the time and realized I was late —
dokkiri shita!

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:

• “That scared me!”
• “I was totally shocked!”
• “You got me!”

But in Japanese, “dokkiri” has become a genre in itself — from everyday use to popular TV prank shows called dokkiri bangumi.
It captures the emotional spike and drama of being surprised, even humorously.

Even though it’s not technically an onomatopoeia anymore, its sound-based roots give it that vivid feeling you can almost hear in your chest.

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Watch & Feel the “Dokkiri” World!

Feel the “Dokkiri” — Incredible Reality

Try Using It!

You open the closet and something falls?
You get surprise news?

Say it with a start:
Dokkiri!

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