Portuguese · Emotions & Descriptions

"Surprised" in Portuguese: surpreso/a

surpreso/a

soor-PREH-zoo / soor-PREH-zahadjective/suʁ.ˈpɾe.zu/, /suʁ.ˈpɾe.za/

Surprised in Portuguese is surpreso (m) or surpresa (f). Say Estou surpreso with estar for a reaction. Que surpresa! uses the related noun.

Unexpected gift

Fiquei surpreso com o presente dela.

I was surprised by her gift.

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How to pronounce surpreso/a

Say it

soor-PREH-zoo / soor-PREH-zah

/suʁ.ˈpɾe.zu/, /suʁ.ˈpɾe.za/

soor-PREH-zoo / soor-PREH-zah. Stress PREH.

"Surprised" in Portuguese: quick reference

Portuguese	English	When to use
surpreso / surpresa	surprised Adjective; agree gender.	Adjective; agree gender.
Estou surpreso.	I'm surprised. Masculine speaker.	Masculine speaker.
Que surpresa!	What a surprise! Noun reaction.	Noun reaction.
surpreso com	surprised at/by Surpreso com a notícia.	Surpreso com a notícia.
positivamente surpreso	pleasantly surprised Good shock.	Good shock.

How to use surpreso/a in real life

1Unexpected gift
Fiquei surpreso com o presente dela.
I was surprised by her gift.
Fiquei surpreso is a common past reaction.
2Work news
Ela ficou surpresa com a promoção.
She was surprised by the promotion.
Surpresa agrees with ela.
3Party entrance
Estamos surpresos que você veio cedo.
We're surprised you came early.
Plural: surpresos.

Mistakes English speakers make with surpreso/a

Incorrect: Eu sou surpreso agora.

Correct: Eu estou / fiquei surpreso agora.

Reactions use estar or ficar, not ser.

Incorrect: Estou surprised.

Correct: Estou surpreso / surpresa.

Use the Portuguese adjective.

Good to know

Brazilians love a dramatic Que surpresa! with open arms. Surpreso com marks what caused the feeling. For shock that is more upset than delighted, people may say chocado instead of simply surpreso.