examen sorpresa
/eɡsamen soɾpɾesa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a pop quiz is called examen sorpresa.
This phrase refers to a test without notice (noun).
Meaning: test without notice (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of examen (exam) and sorpresa (surprise).
Which one should you use?
You can use prueba sorpresa instead of examen sorpresa if you want to refer to a shorter or less formal test.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, prueba is more commonly used than examen.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the noun changes to exámenes. The adjective sorpresa remains singular (e.g., exámenes sorpresa).
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsamen soɾpɾesa/
Did you know?
- The word enjambre, a Spanish relative of examen, actually means 'swarm' (as in bees), illustrating how the Latin root branched into very different English and Spanish concepts.
- While sorpresa is used for a pop quiz, Spanish has a separate word, susto, for a surprise that is frightening or shocking.
- Beyond the classroom, the word examen is the standard term used when scheduling a comprehensive medical checkup or a physical inspection of an object.
Examples in context
- El profesor nos hizo un examen sorpresa de matemáticas.The teacher gave us a surprise math quiz.
- La profesora nos puso una prueba imprevista de comprensión lectora.The teacher gave us an unforeseen reading comprehension test.
- Nuestro profesor nos echó un examen de sorpresa de historia.Our teacher gave us a pop quiz in history.
- Anoche tuve una prueba repentina de vocabulario.Last night, I had a sudden vocabulary quiz.
- El profesor hizo un examen sorpresa hoy.The teacher gave a pop quiz today.
- No estoy listo para un examen sorpresa.I am not ready for a pop quiz.
- ¿Fue un examen sorpresa de matemáticas?Was it a math pop quiz?
Example conversation
Two students are talking in a hallway after class.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿estudiaste para el examen sorpresa?Daniel, did you study for the pop quiz?
- DanielNo, Lucía, no sabía que habría uno.No, Lucía, I didn't know there would be one.
- LucíaFue un examen sorpresa muy difícil.It was a very difficult pop quiz.
- DanielEspero que la próxima vez nos avisen.I hope they warn us next time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries examen, sorpresa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
