Inklingo

How to Say "surprised" in Spanish

The Spanish word forsurprisedis sorprendidoA2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA2
adjectiveA2
feeling astonishment or wonder
A stylized illustration of a simple cartoon figure with very wide, round eyes and an open mouth shaped like an 'O', expressing intense shock and astonishment.

Examples

Estaba muy sorprendido cuando ganamos el premio mayor.

I was very surprised when we won the main prize.

La noticia dejó a la gente sorprendida.

The news left the people surprised.

¿Estás sorprendida? ¡Te lo dije que vendría!

Are you surprised? I told you she would come!

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'sorprendido' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'El niño está sorprendido' (m.), 'La niña está sorprendida' (f.), 'Los niños están sorprendidos' (m. plural).

Using ESTAR

You almost always use 'estar' (to be) with 'sorprendido' because it describes a temporary emotion or a current state, not a permanent characteristic.

Using SER instead of ESTAR

Mistake:Soy sorprendido. (I am surprised.)

Correction: Estoy sorprendido. (I am surprised.) The emotion of surprise is temporary, so you must use 'estar'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.