erstaunen
Translation
to astonish, to amaze, to surprise
Examples
Seine Antwort erstaunte mich sehr.
His answer astonished me greatly.
Es erstaunt mich, dass er das geschafft hat.
It amazes me that he managed that.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) erstaunen to astonish (sb.acc) Your honesty astonishes me.
es erstaunt ((j-n)), dass ... it astonishes (sb.acc) that ... It astonishes me that you are already here.
Similar Words
Synonyms: überraschen, verwundern
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' and 'staunen' (to be amazed, to stare). The 'er-' prefix often intensifies the verb's meaning.
Memory Tips
The sound 'staun' is similar to 'stun'. Something that 'erstaunt' you, stuns you with surprise.