A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
transitive verb 1. (to astonish)
a. to surprise Sus amigos la sorprendieron con una fiesta de cumpleaños. Her friends surprised her with a birthday party.
2. (to catch unawares)
a. to catch Sorprendí a mi hijo intentando sacar una galleta del tarro de galletas. I caught my son trying to take a cookie out of the cookie jar.
sorprenderse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb 3. (to be amazed)
a. to be surprised Me sorprendí cuando me propuso matrimonio. I was surprised when he proposed.
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sorprender
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
transitive verb 1. (asombrar)
a. to surprise me sorprende verte por aquí I'm surprised to see you here
no me sorprende que se haya marchado I'm not surprised she's left
2. (atrapar, pillar)
a. to catch nos sorprendió la tormenta we got caught in the storm
sorprender a alguien (haciendo algo) to catch somebody (doing something)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g. Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited
sorprender
transitive verb
1 (asombrar) to surprise no me sorprendería que ... I wouldn't be surprised if ...
2 (coger desprevenido) to catch; (Mil) to surprise lo sorprendieron robando they caught him stealing
nos sorprendieron todavía en pijama
3 [+conversación] to overhear; [+secreto] to find out; discover; [+escondrijo] to find intransitive verb
to be surprising sorprende observar cómo lo hace it's surprising to see how he does it; sorprende la delicadeza de su verso the delicacy of her poetry is surprising
pronominal verb
sorprenderse to be surprised me sorprendí de la claridad de sus ideas I was surprised at the clarity of his ideas; no me sorprendí de que se enfadara I wasn't surprised he got angry; se sorprendió mucho he was very surprised
Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
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