/syʁ.pʁɑ̃dʁ/
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Translation
to surprise, to catch out
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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.
.
He caught her by surprise in the kitchen.
.
You are going to surprise her with this present.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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French · Free printables
surprendre: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
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 week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 14, lesson 4: surprendre, fantôme, menace and 7 more words.