überrumpeln
/ˌyːbɐˈʁʊmpl̩n/
verb
C1
der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)
Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.
Forms
- present
- überrumpelt
- past
- überrumpelte
- perfect
- hat überrumpelt
Meaning
-
to take by surprise
Built from über (over) + rumpeln (to rumble).
Made of
- über over
- rumpeln to rumble
Similar words
überrumpeln is more about catching someone off guard, an ambush, and can be more aggressive; überraschen is more neutral, "to surprise."
Practice
1 What does überrumpeln mean?
to take by surprise
2 Fill the gap: Die Frage ___ ihn.
Full sentence: Die Frage überrumpelte ihn. (The question caught him off guard.)
3 Which fingerprint chart matches überrumpeln?
überrumpeln: neutral register, academic frequency, general domain, neutral connotation.
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