surprise

noun soor-PREEZ Less Common

Usage Note

Surprise is used identically to the English word and is immediately recognizable. The phrase quelle surprise! ('what a surprise!') is a staple of everyday conversation. Surprise can also function as an invariable exclamation, and une fête surprise (a surprise party) is widely understood. The verb surprendre ('to surprise') shares the same root.

Examples

"Sa visite a été une belle surprise."

Natural Translation

His visit was a lovely surprise.

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