How to Say "taken aback" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “taken aback” is “sorprendido” — use 'sorprendido' for a general sense of being suddenly surprised or shocked by an event..
sorprendido
sohr-prehn-DEE-doh/soɾ.pɾenˈdi.ðo/
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'.
cogido
coh-HEE-doh/koˈxi.ðo/
Examples
Cuando le dieron la noticia, se quedó cogido.
When they gave him the news, he was taken aback (stunned).
Ahora que me lo explicas, ya lo tengo cogido.
Now that you explain it to me, I’ve got it (I understand it).
Describing a State
Use 'estar' (to be) with 'cogido' to talk about a temporary state, like being surprised or having just understood something.
General Surprise vs. Being Stunned
Related Translations
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