Advanced · Literary Word
Aback 😮
By surprise; startled or disconcerted (most commonly used in the phrase 'taken aback').
惊
Main Language
🇬🇧 Complete English Information
Pronunciation/əˈbæk/
Part of SpeechAdverb
LevelB2–C2
Idiomatic usage
Shocked, surprised, or startled (almost exclusively used in the passive construction 'taken aback').Nautical usage
With the sails pressed back against the mast by a headwind.Example Sentences
She was taken aback by his sudden outburst.
She was shocked and surprised by his sudden anger.
She was shocked and surprised by his sudden anger.
The unexpected question took the spokesperson aback.
The unexpected question caught the spokesperson off guard.
The unexpected question caught the spokesperson off guard.
Synonyms
SurprisedStartledShockedStunnedDisconcertedAntonyms
PreparedUnmovedIndifferentExpectantCommon Expressions
- Taken aback: To be suddenly surprised, shocked, or disconcerted.
- Flat aback: Nautical term meaning sails pressed back flat against the mast.
Multilingual Learning
🌍 Aback in 9 Languages
Study the original writing, reading guide, meaning, example, and pronunciation for every language.
🇨🇳 1. Chinese · 中文
吃惊
Reading: chījīng
Meaning: Taken aback / Surprised
我被他的粗鲁吃惊到了。
Wǒ bèi tā de cūlǔ chījīng dào le.
I was taken aback by his rudeness.
我被他的粗鲁吃惊到了。
Wǒ bèi tā de cūlǔ chījīng dào le.
I was taken aback by his rudeness.
🇫🇷 2. French · Français
déconcerté
Reading: déconcerté
Meaning: Taken aback / Disconcerted
J'ai été déconcerté par sa réponse.
J'ai été déconcerté par sa réponse.
I was taken aback by his answer.
J'ai été déconcerté par sa réponse.
J'ai été déconcerté par sa réponse.
I was taken aback by his answer.
🇮🇳 3. Hindi · हिन्दी
हक्का-बक्का
Reading: hakka-bakka
Meaning: Taken aback / Dumbfounded
मैं उसकी बात सुनकर हक्का-बक्का रह गया।
Main uski baat sunkar hakka-bakka rah gaya.
I was taken aback hearing his words.
मैं उसकी बात सुनकर हक्का-बक्का रह गया।
Main uski baat sunkar hakka-bakka rah gaya.
I was taken aback hearing his words.
🇷🇺 4. Russian · Русский
ошеломлённый
Reading: oshelomlyonny
Meaning: Taken aback / Stunned
Я был ошеломлен его поведением.
Ya byl oshelomlen yego povedeniyem.
I was taken aback by his behavior.
Я был ошеломлен его поведением.
Ya byl oshelomlen yego povedeniyem.
I was taken aback by his behavior.
🇻🇳 5. Vietnamese · Tiếng Việt
ngạc nhiên
Reading: ngạc nhiên
Meaning: Taken aback / Surprised
Tôi bị ngạc nhiên bởi phản ứng của anh ấy.
Toi bi ngac nhien boi phan ung cua anh ay.
I was taken aback by his reaction.
Tôi bị ngạc nhiên bởi phản ứng của anh ấy.
Toi bi ngac nhien boi phan ung cua anh ay.
I was taken aback by his reaction.
🇹🇭 6. Thai · ภาษาไทย
ตกตะลึง
Reading: tok-ta-lueng
Meaning: Taken aback / Stunned
ฉันตกตะลึงกับคำตอบของเขา
Chan tok-ta-lueng kap kham-top khong khao.
I was taken aback by his answer.
ฉันตกตะลึงกับคำตอบของเขา
Chan tok-ta-lueng kap kham-top khong khao.
I was taken aback by his answer.
🇱🇦 7. Lao · ພາສາລາວ
ຕົກຕະລຶງ
Reading: tok ta lung
Meaning: Taken aback / Stunned
ຂ້ອຍຕົກຕະລຶງກັບຄຳຕອບຂອງລາວ
Khoy tok ta lung kap kham top khong lao.
I was taken aback by his answer.
ຂ້ອຍຕົກຕະລຶງກັບຄຳຕອບຂອງລາວ
Khoy tok ta lung kap kham top khong lao.
I was taken aback by his answer.
🇰🇷 8. Korean · 한국어
당황한
Reading: danghwanghan
Meaning: Taken aback / Flustered
나는 그의 무례함에 당황했다.
Naneun geuui muryehaeme danghwanghaetda.
I was taken aback by his rudeness.
나는 그의 무례함에 당황했다.
Naneun geuui muryehaeme danghwanghaetda.
I was taken aback by his rudeness.
🇯🇵 9. Japanese · 日本語
呆気にとられた
Reading: akke ni torareta
Meaning: Taken aback / Dumbfounded
彼の態度に呆気にとられた。
Kare no taido ni akke ni torareta.
I was taken aback by his attitude.
彼の態度に呆気にとられた。
Kare no taido ni akke ni torareta.
I was taken aback by his attitude.
Learning Process
📖 How to Study This Word
- Read the complete English definition.
- Study the original word in each language.
- Read the pronunciation guide.
- Listen to the native pronunciation.
- Read each example sentence.
- Practice remembering the meaning.
- Complete a multilingual quiz.
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