/syʁ.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
Translation
to surprise, to catch out
Word origin
From Old French surprendre ('to overtake, to catch unawares'), from sur (from Latin super, 'over') and prendre ('to take'), the latter from Latin prendere.
- Origin
- Old French
- Root
- surprendre
- English cognates
- surprise, comprehend, prehensile
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | surprends | surprenais | surpris | surprendrai | surprendrais |
| tu | surprends | surprenais | surpris | surprendras | surprendrais |
| il/elle | surprend | surprenait | surprit | surprendra | surprendrait |
| nous | surprenons | surprenions | surprîmes | surprendrons | surprendrions |
| vous | surprenez | surpreniez | surprîtes | surprendrez | surprendriez |
| ils/elles | surprennent | surprenaient | surprirent | surprendront | surprendraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | surprenne | surprisse |
| tu | surprennes | surprisses |
| il/elle | surprenne | surprît |
| nous | surprenions | surprissions |
| vous | surpreniez | surprissiez |
| ils/elles | surprennent | surprissent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | surprends |
| nous | surprenons |
| vous | surprenez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- surprenant
- Past participle
- surpris · surprise · surpris · surprises
Examples
.
I want to surprise him for his birthday.
.
That is not going to surprise me.
.
She likes to surprise her friends.
l' .
He caught her by surprise in the kitchen.
.
You are going to surprise her with this present.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(1)Grammar articles
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surprendre: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "surprendre" (to surprise, to catch out): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 23.