How to Say “I was surprised” in Korean: 깜짝 놀랐어요

깜짝 놀랐어요

kkamjjak nollasseoyo

Situation: Feelings & cheeringLevel: Beginner (TOPIK 1–2)

Meaning

I was surprised.

깜짝 is a mimetic word for sudden surprise. It fits both pleasant and shocking moments.

Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.

Syllables: 6 · Words: 2

In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.

Syllable	Letters (consonant + vowel + final)	Romanization
깜짝
깜	ㄲ+ㅏ+ㅁ	kkam
짝	ㅉ+ㅏ+ㄱ	jjak
놀랐어요
놀	ㄴ+ㅗ+ㄹ	nol
랐	ㄹ+ㅏ+ㅆ	[라] la
어	ㅇ+ㅓ	[써] sseo
요	ㅇ+ㅛ	yo

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 랐어 → [라써]

Style: Polite (해요체)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.

Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.

Question 1 What does “깜짝 놀랐어요” mean?

Show the answer

Answer: I was surprised

Question 2 How do you say “I was surprised” in Korean?

Show the answer

Answer: 깜짝 놀랐어요 kkamjjak nollasseoyo

Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.