surprise/syʁ.pʁiz/
noun · A2 · Frequency 950
nounfeminine
Meanings
surprise (something unexpected)
Expresses an emotional reaction to something unexpected, commonly used in everyday communication.
surprise attack (military action)
Refers to a sudden military attack, commonly used in military and historical contexts.
Examples
La surprise de voir son ancien professeur dans le train lui a coupé la parole.
The surprise of seeing his former teacher on the train left him speechless.
Quelle surprise de recevoir une lettre aussi longtemps après leur rencontre !
What a surprise to receive a letter so long after their meeting!
La surprise fut générale lorsque la petite équipe remporta le concours.
Everyone was surprised when the small team won the competition.
Collocations
- grande surprisegreat surprise
- avoir une surpriseto have a surprise
- attaque surprisesurprise attack
Common mistakes
Je surprise mes amis.
Je surprends mes amis.
In French, surprise is a noun meaning an unexpected event or feeling of astonishment; unlike English surprise, it cannot be used directly as a verb. Use the first-person singular form surprends of surprendre here.
Related words
synonymétonnementastonishment, amazement
nounfeminine
Meanings
surprise (something unexpected)
Expresses an emotional reaction to something unexpected, commonly used in everyday communication.
surprise attack (military action)
Refers to a sudden military attack, commonly used in military and historical contexts.
Examples
Les surprises de cette journée ont rendu la fête inoubliable.
The surprises of that day made the party unforgettable.
Même après toutes les surprises, elle est restée calme.
Even after all the surprises, she remained calm.
Le voyage nous a réservé plusieurs surprises agréables.
The trip had several pleasant surprises in store for us.