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sorprender

to surprise

verb sohr-prrehn-DEHR Less Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to catch off guard

Usage Note

Sorprender follows the same construction as gustar: the thing that surprises is the subject, and the person surprised is the indirect object (me sorprende su actitud, his attitude surprises me). The reflexive sorprenderse de means 'to be surprised at/by'. The adjective sorprendente (surprising) and noun sorpresa (surprise) share the same root.

Examples

"Me sorprende tu decisión."

Natural Translation

Your decision surprises me.

Literal Translation

To-me surprises your decision.

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