Sorprender and Extrañar can both mean "to surprise?"

Question

I tried researching about this but didn't find much. I just want some confirmation on whether these verbs can be interchangeably used to mean "to surprise" or if there is any slight difference.

This site offers the following differences:

"Me extrañé de la reacción de tu hermano."

"Me sorprende verte por aquí."

I'm not sure if I can see a difference. xD

Answer 1

Yes, they are mainly equal.

Me sorprende verte por aquí. ? I'm surprised to see you here ? I didn't expect to see you here. ? It is unexpected (for me) to see you here ? Me extraña verte por aquí.

You should use me extraña if the situation is odd or strange. For something inusual unusual.

Me sorprende fits better if the situation really surprises you.

Slightest difference.

I love finding out about these slight nuances of usage, so this post is a winner for me. Oh, and Inusual in Spanish is Unusual in English. Might be intentional here, though. - Helado_eclectico, Sep 4, 2014

Thanks :) - RelaxingCup, Sep 5, 2014