French word

étonné

Pronunciation

IPA/etone/

Meaning

  • adjectivesurprised

Example

Je suis étonné.

I am surprised.

Illustration for étonné (surprised)

More examples

Je suis étonné que tu sois venu.

I am surprised that you came.

Core concept

A sudden surprise leaves someone visibly struck and briefly unsure how to react.

Common phrases

  • être étonné de

    be surprised at ___

  • avoir l'air étonné

    seem surprised

  • être étonné que

    be surprised that ___

Similar words

surpris: Briefly surprised by an unexpected event.
choqué: Strongly shaken by a shocking event.
interloqué: Too surprised to know how to react.
stupéfait: Overwhelmed by intense surprise and left stunned.

Definition in French

Qui se montre surpris par un événement ou une nouvelle inattendue.

Word origin

Old French estoner developed from Latin extonare, built on ex- and tonare 'to thunder' to express a forceful startling effect.

Usage tips

  • The cause is commonly introduced with être étonné de plus a noun or infinitive, or être étonné que plus a subjunctive clause.

Other meanings

  • astonishedadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word