הפתעה
hafta'ah
The English word 'surprise' is translated into Hebrew as הפתעה (hafta'ah).
הפתעה is a noun referring to the feeling that something unexpected has happened. In informal situations, you might encounter the phrase איזה הפתעה (what a surprise) to express reacting to something unexpectedly pleasant. Additionally, the exclamation וואו (wow), borrowed from English, is used to express astonishment or surprise in an informal context.
Meaning: feeling that something unexpected has happened (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word הפתעה (hafta'ah) is derived from the root פ–ת–ע (p-t-a), which relates to the concept of being startled or surprised.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of הפתעה is הפתעות (hafta'ot). If you want to express the action of surprising someone, use the verb form להפתיע (lehafti'a).
How do you pronounce it?
hafta'ah
Did you know?
- In Hebrew, the word הפתעה can be used sarcastically to mean the exact opposite of a surprise, often when something predictable happens that someone is pretending to be shocked by.
- Because Hebrew is a gendered language, the way you say 'I am surprised' changes based on your gender, even though the noun הפתעה itself remains the same.
- When Israelis are genuinely shocked by a surprise, they might use the word הלם, which literally means 'shock' or 'trauma'. This is used for surprises that are too intense to be called a simple הפתעה.
Examples in context
- יש לי הפתעה בשבילך.I have a surprise for you.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a surprise for someone using הפתעה.Tatoeba #1972945 by MrShoval, translation #237681 by CK
- תום השאיר לי הפתעה.Tom left me a surprise.This sentence is useful for describing that someone left a surprise using הפתעה.Tatoeba #6031199 by fekundulo, translation #5271831 by Hybrid
- איזו הפתעה לא צפויה!What an unexpected surprise!This sentence is useful for exclaiming about an unexpected surprise using הפתעה.Tatoeba #6020299 by fekundulo, translation #4013163 by CK
- איזה הפתעה! הגעת מן הכפרWow! You came from the village!
- ממש? לא ידעתי שאתה בא משם!Really? I had no idea you came from there!
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Itai visits Noa unexpectedly at her home.
- איתי Itayהפתעה! אני פה!Haftaa! Ani po!Surprise! I'm here!
- נועה Noaאיתי? איזו הפתעה!Itay? Eizo haftaa!Itai? What a surprise!
- איתי Itayרציתי להפתיע אותך.Ratsiti lehaftia otakh.I wanted to surprise you.
- נועה Noaאני ממש בשוק.Ani mamash beshok.I am really shocked.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
