French word

surprendre

Pronunciation

IPA/syʁpʁɑ̃dʁ/

Meaning

  • verbsurprise

Example

Elle m'a surpris avec un cadeau inattendu.

She surprised me with an unexpected gift.

Illustration for surprendre (surprise)

More examples

Le bruit soudain a surpris les passants.

The sudden noise surprised the passersby.

Core concept

An unexpected event catches someone off guard, causing a sudden startled reaction before composure returns.

Common phrases

  • surprendre quelqu'un

    surprise someone

  • surprendre quelqu'un en train de

    catch someone in the act of ___

  • surprendre quelqu'un agréablement

    pleasantly surprise someone

Similar words

étonner: An unexpected event makes someone feel surprised.
choquer: A violation of social norms or expectations causes intense shock.
déconcerter: An unexpected turn leaves someone unsure how to respond.

Definition in French

Provoquer chez quelqu'un une réaction soudaine d'étonnement à la suite d'un événement inattendu.

Word origin

French surprendre comes through Old French from Latin superprehendere, meaning to seize from above, and developed the sense of catching someone unawares.

Usage tips

  • Surprendre takes a direct object without à, as in surprendre quelqu'un, while être surpris expresses the person's passive surprise.

Other meanings

  • startleverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word