German word

überraschen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌyːbɐˈʁaʃn̩/

Meaning

  • verbsurprise

Example

Ich habe sie gestern überrascht.

I surprised her yesterday.

Illustration for überraschen (surprise)

More examples

Der Sänger hat das Publikum positiv überrascht.

The singer positively surprised the audience.

Core concept

A person suddenly faces an unexpected event, and attention shifts at once from readiness to astonishment.

Common phrases

  • jemanden überraschen

    surprise ___

  • positiv überraschen

    positively surprise ___

Similar words

erschrecken: To make someone feel frightened and flinch because of a sudden sound or movement.
erstaunen: To cause strong surprise through something highly unexpected.

Definition in German

jemanden plötzlich und unerwartet in Erstaunen versetzen.

Word origin

The verb combines the prefix "über-" with "rasch" meaning "quick", referring originally to coming upon someone suddenly.

Usage tips

  • The person surprised is normally in the accusative, as in "jemanden überraschen"; a cause can follow with "mit" and the dative.

Other meanings

  • catch off guardverb
  • amazeverb

Opposites

  • erwartenexpectverb
  • vorhersehenforeseeverb

Related words

Word lists with this word