Be taken aback Meaning in English
expression
ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈteɪkən/ /əˈbæk
bee TAY-kuhn uh-BAK
bˈiː/ /tˈeɪkən/ /ɐbˈæk
bee TAY-kuhn uh-BAK
Definition
To be very surprised or shocked, often so much that you do not know how to react immediately.
Usage & Nuances
This phrase is somewhat formal and more common in written or careful speech. It expresses strong surprise, usually from something unexpected. Often used in the passive form: 'was taken aback' or 'is taken aback'. Rarely used in continuous or active forms.
Spanish: quedarse sorprendido - quedarse desconcertadoPortuguese (BR): ficar surpreso - ficar desconcertadoPortuguese (PT): ficar surpreendido - ficar desconcertadoChinese (Simplified): 大吃一惊 - 感到意外Chinese (Traditional): 大喫一驚 - 感到意外Hindi: हैरान रह जाना - अचंभित हो जानाArabic: يُفاجأ - يُذهلBengali: বিস্মিত হওয়া - হতভম্ব হয়ে যাওয়াRussian: поразиться - быть ошеломлённымJapanese: 驚かされる - 面食らうVietnamese: bị sửng sốt - bị bất ngờKorean: 놀라다 - 당황하다Turkish: şaşkına dönmek - afallamakUrdu: حیران رہ جانا - اچانک چونک جاناIndonesian: terkejut - tercengang
Example Sentences
I was taken aback by the news.
basic
She was taken aback when they shouted her name.
basic
We were taken aback by his sudden anger.
basic
I really was taken aback when he offered to help me out of nowhere.
natural
You could tell she was taken aback by the question—she didn't know what to say.
natural
We all were taken aback by how expensive the meal was at that place.
natural