sorprendere
surprise
verb sohr-PREHN-deh-reh Less Common
Origin: from Latin super-prehendere ('to seize over')
Also means
catch in the act
Usage Note
Sorprendere means to astonish but also to catch someone red-handed, sorprendere un ladro. The reflexive sorprendersi means to be surprised, taking di before what astonishes you.
Examples
"La notizia mi ha sorpreso."
Natural Translation
The news surprised me.
Literal Translation
The news me has surprised.
Related Words
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