surpresa
/suʁˈpɾe.zɐ/feminine
The English word 'surprise' is translated into Portuguese as surpresa.
surpresa is a noun used to describe the feeling that something unexpected has happened or to refer to the unexpected event itself.
Meaning: feeling that something unexpected has happened (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use the noun surpresa to refer to the feeling or the event, while the verb surpreender is used to describe the action of surprising someone or causing them to feel surprise.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
surpresa is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives must also be in the feminine form. The plural form of surpresa is surpresas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /suʁˈpɾe.zɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word surpresa shares a common ancestor with the English word 'seize'. Both trace back to the Latin prendere, meaning to take or seize, suggesting that a surprise is something that 'seizes' or overtakes you.
- In Brazil, a 'surprise party' is often called a festa surpresa, but the act of jumping out to scare the guest is called dar um susto, meaning 'to give a fright'.
- The verb form surpreender can be used to mean 'to exceed' expectations, such as in the phrase surpreender os padrões, which means to surpass or go beyond established standards.
Examples in context
- Isto é uma surpresa.This is a surprise.This sentence is useful for stating that something is a surprise using surpresa.Tatoeba #4398557 by ajdavidl, translation #2548626 by CK
- Eu tenho uma surpresa.I have a surprise.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a surprise using surpresa.Tatoeba #3662048 by ajdavidl, translation #3374691 by CK
- Isso foi uma surpresa.It was a surprise.Tatoeba #10984885 by carlosalberto, translation #3733470 by CK
- Que surpresa!What a surprise!
- Eu não estava esperando você aqui. Que surpresa!I wasn't expecting you here. What a surprise!
- Estou surpreso(a)!I'm surprised!
- Estou surpreso com o resultado do jogo!I'm surprised by the game's outcome!
- Não estou acreditando!I can't believe it!
- Nossa!Wow!
- Nossa, que lindo o seu novo carro!Wow, your new car is beautiful!
- Caramba!Geez!
- Caramba, você é realmente talentoso!Geez, you're really talented!
- Caraca! Essa festa está demais!Wow! This party is awesome!
- Puxa, como você ficou elegante!Wow, you look so elegant!
- Valha-me Deus!Goodness gracious!
- Valha-me Deus! Essa notícia é surpreendente!Goodness gracious! This news is surprising!
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel meet unexpectedly at a cafe.
- BeatrizGabriel, que surpresa encontrar você aqui!Gabriel, what a surprise to find you here!
- GabrielOi, Beatriz! A surpresa é minha.Hi, Beatriz! The surprise is mine.
- BeatrizVocê mora por este bairro agora?Do you live in this neighborhood now?
- GabrielSim, mudei-me para cá no mês passado.Yes, I moved here last month.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “surprise” translations and entries surpresa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries surpresa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
