Surprise!

Hey there fellow netizens!

So as orderly as you’ll find Japan to be, there’s plenty of things that will stop you on your tracks and make you go “whaa??”
But you nerdy little critters probably know that already.

From the weird festivals...

... to the uncommon vending machines, and why not, even the random gothic Lolita or ゴスロリ（ごすろり）casually crossing paths with you (not kidding, I'm talking from personal experience here).

So how do you react to the unexpected? I mean, a textbook lesson will teach you what to say in a certain setting, like when ordering food, when buying something, when greeting your friends bla bla bla...

Let’s take a look at some common expressions that Japanese say when they are surprised, may it be in a good or a bad situation.

わあい！
Yaay!

Feeling happy about some good news? Something exciting going on? Like...

すごい！
Amazing!

Did you just witness / hear something that blew your socks off? すごい is the word you're looking for!

すごい！
Amazing!

You could also use the more slangy version and say:

すげー！
Amazin'!

Are you perplexed as to what just happened? Say our beloved superhero from One Punch Man just flashed by you only to quickly fall in line at the nearby supermarket sale...

You might have felt Saitama fly by, but you never saw him. So you'd say...

Note: This can also be used in not so pleasant situations, for example when someone says something rude.

びっくりした！
That took me by surprise/scared me!
Literally: 'Surprise + made!'

Did someone just play a prank on you, jumping from behind? Did you go all crazy and 'aaah'?
This is what you say after the initial shock.

You can also say:

Note: 驚いた！ sounds a bit less casual than びっくりした！Saying びっくりした！is more common.

Now If you were truly scared sh*tless by something, you could also say

Of course, you would also use it in situations in which you were in actual danger, from which you barely escaped, like when you are jaywalking and almost get run over by a car.

Note: This is a casual version of the more 'grammarly' correct 信じられない（しんじられない/ cannot believe）

Are you mildly or even seriously outraged by something? Did someone just cut you in line? Did someone just spill coffee on your shirt and not even apologize?

Did you just step on something really gross? Did you accidentally pop a pimple and you stand there bleeding unknowingly from your forehead while your friend watches in disgust?

There's nothing else left to say...

So there you have it, dear netizens, now you know what to say when the unexpected knocks at your door. Have fun with your studies and see you guys next time!