surprise
gb/səpɹˈaɪz/ us/səpɹˈaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1900
meglepetés, meglep, meglepetésszerű támadás, rajtaütés
NOUN
A2
1
meglepetés
A2
Usage pattern:
a [pleasant/unpleasant] surprise
Her visit was a complete surprise to everyone.
A látogatása mindenki számára teljes meglepetés volt.
It was a pleasant surprise to see him at the party.
Kellemes meglepetés volt látni őt a bulin.
The news came as a big surprise to the community.
To my surprise, the test was easy.
His sudden resignation took everyone by surprise.
Learner examples
The gift was a nice surprise.
Az ajándék kedves meglepetés volt.
It was a surprise to see my friend.
Meglepetés volt látni a barátomat.
The rain was a surprise today.
I have a surprise for you.
She had a big surprise for her family.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprise' (noun) with 'surprised' (adjective), using the wrong form in sentences.
Meaning
Unexpected event or fact
Collocations
pleasant surprise
|big surprise
|shock and surprise
|to one's surprise
|complete surprise
Synonyms
shock (Often stronger or more negative in emotional impact than 'surprise'.)
Antonyms
expectation (The state of knowing or believing something will happen, opposite to being surprised.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that happens suddenly and is not expected, often making you feel amazed or shocked.
An event, fact, or situation that happens unexpectedly and causes feelings of shock, amazement, or wonder.
VERB
A2
2
meglep
A2
Usage pattern:
to surprise [someone] with [something]
They surprised her with a birthday cake.
Meglepték őt egy születésnapi tortával.
His answer surprised me.
Meglepett a válasza.
The ending of the movie will surprise you.
She surprised her parents by coming home early.
The teacher surprised the class with no homework.
Learner examples
I want to surprise my friend.
Szeretném meglepni a barátomat.
The news will surprise you.
A hír meg fog lepni téged.
He surprised his mother with flowers.
They surprised us with a visit.
We surprised him at his job.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprise' (verb) with 'surprised' (adjective), especially in past tense forms.
Meaning
Cause someone astonishment
Collocations
surprise party
|surprise visit
|surprise announcement
|surprise attack
Synonyms
astonish ('Astonish' is more formal and often suggests a stronger effect.)
Antonyms
predict (If something can be predicted, it will not surprise someone.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel something unexpected, like amazement or shock.
To cause someone to feel sudden wonder, amazement, or shock by doing something unexpected.
NOUN
B1
3
The army launched a surprise at dawn.
A hadsereg hajnalban meglepetésszerű támadást indított.
They relied on the element of surprise to win the battle.
A csata megnyeréséhez a meglepetés erejére támaszkodtak.
The town fell after a surprise attack by enemy forces.
Learner examples
The soldiers made a surprise attack.
A katonák meglepetésszerű támadást indítottak.
They used a surprise to win the fight.
A harc megnyeréséhez kihasználták a meglepetés erejét.
The enemy did not expect the surprise.
Meaning
Unexpected military attack
Collocations
surprise attack
|element of surprise
Synonyms
ambush ('Ambush' usually refers to an attack from a hidden position rather than any unexpected attack.)
Antonyms
planned offensive (A military action that is prepared and announced in advance.)
Themes
military
|politics
|law
Definition
A sudden attack on an enemy without warning.
A sudden military action taken without warning against an enemy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
surprise
IPA
GB/səpɹˈaɪz/
US/səpɹˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
sur - prise (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prise)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: surprise
- Plural: surprise, surprises
Verb
- Base: surprise
- 3rd Person Singular: surprises
- Present Participle: surprising
- Past: surprised
Word family
Forms
Core family
surprisingly
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unsurprising
adjective
unsurprisingly
adverb
Expressions
a bolt from the blue
1/ə bˈoʊlt fɹˈʌm ðə blˈu/
idiom
Sudden and unexpected event
Something that happens suddenly and without warning, often shocking people.
Examples
- His resignation was a bolt from the blue.
- The news of their divorce came like a bolt from the blue.
full of surprises
1/fˈʊl əv səpɹˈaɪzɪz/
fixed phrase
Having many unexpected aspects
When something or someone keeps doing things you do not expect.
Examples
- Life is full of surprises.
- She is full of surprises; you never know what she'll do next.
spring a surprise (on someone)
1/spɹˈɪŋ ə səpɹˈaɪz ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Present an unexpected event or fact
To give or tell someone something they do not expect.
Examples
- They sprang a surprise on him at the meeting.
- The teacher sprang a surprise quiz on us.
take someone by surprise
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn bˈaɪ səpɹˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Affect someone unexpectedly
To happen when someone is not ready and make them feel shocked or amazed.
Examples
- Her sudden question took me by surprise.
- The storm took the fishermen by surprise.