There are many completely unsurprising situations in which I see little go “あ!” as if they are surprised. To name a few examples:
-When a waiter brought food to the table, my friend did this. We literally ordered food at a restaurant, so I am not sure why he seemed to almost jump when he said it.
-Every time that I’ve seen my boss make a phone call to someone he does this. He’s always like あ! before he starts the conversation. It’s just very confusing because he is the one instigating the call. What else does he expect to happen when he calls someone?
-When I went to the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked for my 薬手帳 which I then handed to her. As I am handing it to her, she goes あ! as if surprised that I am handing her the thing which she just asked for.
I feel like there’s some subtle point that I’m missing out on. Does it seem more polite to seem constantly surprised by completely normal things?
36 comments
It’s a cultural thing, to acknowledge receiving something. Just think about how they generally talk on the phone…
I don’t think あ in this context express surprisal. It’s a sign of receiving new information, similar to English “okay”. “Okay, I got your medicine book. Okay, you got my call. Okay, here comes the food.”
It makes me cringe tbh.
Is this not normal?
I’ve been startled by sneaky waitresses and gone “ah! Thanks” -grabs food- or when receiving something in regards to the pharmacist as a “ah yes, thank you!” even though I’m 100% prepared.
Brain just goes “ah, ___ ” to a lot of situations. More words but same context.
Since it’s pretty much answered already.
Another one you might often hear would be よいしょ。
You’ve simply taken what would be taken as acting surprised in your culture and transposed it to Japanese culture.
TBH though there are instances where this is actually accurate in its meaning, just not in the examples provided above.
In general there are a lot of Japanese words and expressions that highly vary in meaning depending on the context eg expressions like やばい、すごい
I realized a good while ago that I do this (I think it naturally rubbed off on me), I don’t like it but I can’t stop for some reason. It just happens.
There’s no meaning per se, it’s just kind of like a way to start speaking..I would say usually when you’re trying to be polite. I don’t think it happens when I’m talking to my friends.. probably.
But it’s to the point that I have to practice not doing it so it must just be one of those things that just exist along with the language.
I feel so called out as a Japanese person lol
It’s more an expression of humility, especially when there’s a perception that you may be intruding on someone.
I think it’s similar to “はい”. It means nothing but a way for you to start something.
I added it almost to every sentence when I say. It’s a pattern of speech kinda developed naturally in me the more I speak. I didn’t realize it until my friend told me about this habit, and I actually realized many Japanese did the same as me.
If you go to any cashier, 100% they will start a sentence with はい even though nothing was asked.
I’m American and I jump when the food comes too because I realize I have to make room for the plates. It’s just like an, “Oh! Thank you!” Cause I’m like oh shit it’s here, idk maybe I am just genuinely surprised when food I ordered shows up 😭
I think it’s just a verbal acknowledgement, it’s not an expression of surprise.
So, I thought about this a bit and I think it’s considered polite to act surprised because it implies you are not expecting anything from the other person.
Happens in English too:
“Ah, thanks for that”
“Ah, hi” (on the phone)
It’s just a filler word
It’s like when you’re at a friend’s house and they bring you food but you looking around pretenting to not realize it’s coming until the very end but then act surprised at the last moment to come off as polite. Japanese do this submissive “AH!” a lot in the business environment, especially on the phone with a client.
Just think of it as being equivalent to “oh”
Waiter brings food: “Oh, thank you”.
Phone call: “Oh, Hello, John speaking.”
“Oh” doesn’t necessary express surprise all the time. Same thing with “あ”, it’s just a random thing people say like “um” or “eh”
It feels like some people overthink Japanese expressions and mannerisms when there’s a simple equivalent to most of them in their home country. Not to blame you though, Japanese language and culture has a lot of complicated parts so you end up overthinking.
I picked up this trait inadvertently and now it’s not going away
I do this.
I think it’s not just a Japanese thing. I do this a lot, and I think I probably got it from my parents. Not sure whether it comes from our French background or African background.
For me it’s kind of a way to mark a transition, or acknowledge a change or an event (e.g. the meals arriving at the table)? There is also a sense of added politeness I think? Like I want to make it clear to the waiter that I’m aware of him and that I acknowledge the work his done (bringing the food). It’s also a way to confirm that I am aware of the change in the situation and appropriately ready to respond as needed (like. receiving a plate or steak knife the waiter might hand out next).
I already commented, but I just realized that there migh be another underlying purpose. Not sure if that’s true for Japanese people too, but specifically in the waiter example, I might feign a bit of surprise as a wait to express that I haven’t been waiting long for the food. Basically, it’s saying that the food arrived so quickly that it surprised me a little, which I see as an expression of politeness/praise to the waiter/chef/restaurant. It’s probably a way of establishing some preemptive good will or something?
You’re not understanding what you’re seeing.
why the downvotes to OP? it seems like a genuine question, although there seems to be a misunderstanding between acknowledgement and being surprised.
It’s not 「あ！どうも…」 it’s 「あっ、どうも…」 (Just using どうも as an example, but it’s the same for every instance)
The fact that you perceive it as an exclamation is caused by a difference in culture and language, which is understandable.
When Japanese are surprised they say things like 「ええええええ！！」 or 「うううううっわっ！！(usually men)」 or just a high pitched screaming noise (that really isn’t a vowel).
In English, some people have similar mannerisms in their speech where they kind of clear their throat / break the tension of silence with a noise first. “ahh, thank you very much” etc.
My “あ” first “あ” Japanese friend said “あ” when stuff “あ” arrived, and I ”あ” do not “あ” know what it “あ” means. Please explain to me how people communicate. Also “あ” is incomprehensible in my existing linguistic range and I must process it as special “あ”.
My wife does this to me all the time. I will walk into the room and she will act surprised. I always say “You are surprised that I live here and was in another room?”
ええええええ
へえええええ
うわああああ
There are times when I’m happy I’m a Canadian
Eh
I’m not sure your examples are accurate times people are surprised but I agree it does happen a lot. I think in Japan, no reaction is considered a reaction itself and can be sometimes rude. As opposed to America where quite frankly it’s okay to not show emotion for a lot of situations or responses.
I asked my wife.
It’s not surprise that’s being expressed. It functions the same way as “oh”.
It’s not unlike “Oh, thanks” or “Oh, hello.”
Because they quite stupid, and you, you very very smart person.
One thing that surprises me is when Japanese people literally say “I’m surprised!” in the process of being surprised. びっくりした！！
This is the equivalent to someone saying “that hurts!” rather than simply screaming bloody murder as their own arm gets torn off by a shark.
There’s a page in my shadowing book where every sentence starts with あ!
I space out a lot so when I’m brought back to reality I’m a little surprised. Perhaps a lot of people in Japan are the same way.
建前, おもてなし,丁寧さ. Japanese use reactions to make the other person feel at ease. It’s engrained in the culture.
It’s just something used for acknowledgement. It’s not nearly as deep as you think
Yes, we’re all incredibly skittish and surprised by every little thing. These small exclamations are our way of coping with the unbelievably harsh realities of life. A call for help, if you will. With every utterance, we hope some brave soul will reach and tell us that it’s okay. It’s okay, Japan… You will make it to tomorrow!
Uh, no. You’re reading too much into things that aren’t there.