meravigliare

to amaze

verb meh-rah-vee-LYAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin mirabilia, 'wonderful things'.

Also means

to astonish

Usage Note

Meravigliare is commonly used reflexively: meravigliarsi di ('to be amazed at/by'). In the reflexive it takes essere as auxiliary: mi sono meravigliato. The transitive form ('something amazes me') takes avere. The noun meraviglia ('wonder, amazement') and the exclamation 'che meraviglia!' ('how wonderful!') are everyday Italian.

Examples

"Mi meraviglio sempre della bellezza del mare."

Natural Translation

I am always amazed by the beauty of the sea.

Literal Translation

To-me I-am-amazed always of-the beauty of-the sea.

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