Spanish Conversation · Level 152
30 words
Spanish word
atónito
Pronunciation
IPA/aˈtonito/
Meaning
- adjectiveastonished
Example
Quedé atónito al ver la sorpresa.
I was astonished when I saw the surprise.
More examples
Al oír la explicación, me sentí atónito.
On hearing the explanation, I felt astonished.
Core concept
A person standing motionless after a sudden, overwhelming surprise.
Common phrases
quedarse atónito
be left astonished
estar atónito
be astonished
Similar words
sorprendido: Visibly surprised, often reacting vocally or with a clear facial response to the unexpected.
asombrado: Struck by strong wonder or admiration, with conspicuous changes in expression and eyes.
boquiabierto: Mouth open and speechless from extreme surprise.
pasmado: Dazed and numbly immobile, slow to respond after a sudden shock.
Definition in Spanish
Describe a quien queda paralizado por una sorpresa muy intensa y no reacciona de inmediato.
Word origin
Derived from Latin attonitus, formed from at- plus tonare 'to thunder', so the word evokes being struck dumb as by thunder.
Usage tips
- Stronger than sorprendido or boquiabierto, atónito implies paralysis by the event, so using it for mild astonishment can sound exaggerated.
Other meanings
- speechlessadjective
- dazedadjective
Opposites
- imperturbableunperturbedadjective
- tranquilocalmadjective
Related words
- atónitamenteastonishedlyadverb