Spanish Conversation · Level 118
59 words
Spanish word
desconcertar
Pronunciation
IPA/deskonθeɾˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbconfuse
Example
La pregunta me desconcertó.
The question confused me.
More examples
Esa información puede desconcertar a la gente.
That information may confuse people.
Core concept
Brief mental disorientation after an unexpected event.
Common phrases
desconcertar a alguien
confuse someone
desconcertar a la gente
confuse people
desconcertar con una pregunta
confuse with a question
Similar words
confundir: Make facts or ideas hard to tell apart, producing uncertainty about which applies.
sorprender: Deliver an unexpected shock or astonishment that prompts a quick response.
desorientar: Render orientation unclear after changes in environment or available information.
descolocar: Upend expectations or preparedness through a sudden change, creating disarray.
Definition in Spanish
Causar que una persona se sienta desorientada o extrañada por algo inesperado, sin implicar necesariamente un error factual.
Word origin
From Spanish des- 'undo' plus concertar (from Latin concertare 'bring together'), originally meaning 'undo a bringing-together' and so 'throw into disorder' when applied to a person's reaction.
Usage tips
- Frequently appears with indirect-object pronouns (me, te, le) to show who is affected, and it commonly describes a short-lived unsettled reaction rather than a lasting factual mistake.
Other meanings
- disconcertverb
- take abackverb
Opposites
- aclararclarifyverb
- tranquilizarreassureverb
Related words
- desconciertoconfusionnoun
- desconcertadoconfusedadjective
- desconcertanteconfusingadjective