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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.

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