The kanji 驚驚 primarily conveys the meaning of "to be surprised," "to be astonished," "to be frightened," or "to be startled." It reflects a sudden feeling of shock, wonder, or fear, usually triggered by something unexpected or unusual. It can relate to both positive and negative experiences, although it often leans towards a sense of surprise or alarm.

・On-yomi (音読み): キョウ (kyou) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): おどろ(く) (odoroku)

⚫︎ 驚きました！ (Odorokimashita!) Translation: I was surprised! ⚫︎ 驚くべき出来事 (odorubeki dekigoto) Translation: An astonishing event. ⚫︎ 地震に驚いた (jishin ni odoroita) Translation: I was startled by the earthquake.

The kanji 驚驚 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). It combines two parts to give meaning: ⚫︎The left side is 馬 (uma), meaning "horse." Horses are known for being easily startled and reactive. ⚫︎The right side is 敬 (kei) which provides the sound and conveys a sense of respect or reverence, but in this context, it contributes to the meaning of caution and a heightened state of alertness. Therefore, the character's composition paints a picture of a horse, a creature prone to being startled, thus reinforcing the kanji's meaning of surprise or shock.