to amaze
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to amaze
To greatly surprise someone or fill them with wonder because something is unexpected or impressive.
Seine Fähigkeit, fünf Sprachen fließend zu sprechen, erstaunte die gesamte Prüfungskommission.
His ability to speak five languages fluently amazed the entire examination committee.
'Erstaunen' (to amaze) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'er-'. This prefix turns the feeling 'staunen' (to be amazed) into an action that puts someone into that state: to amaze someone.
Ihre schnelle Auffassungsgabe erstaunt mich immer wieder.
Her quick comprehension amazes me again and again.
The verb 'erstaunen' (to amaze) is usually used transitively. The subject of the sentence is the cause of the surprise, and the person who is surprised is in the accusative.
Die Nachricht von seinem Rücktritt erstaunte die Öffentlichkeit.
The news of his resignation amazed the public.
Very often, the past participle 'erstaunt' (amazed) is used as an adjective with the verb 'sein' (to be). The construction is then: 'jemand ist erstaunt über' + accusative (someone is amazed about/by something).
Ich bin erstaunt über deine guten Noten in Mathe.
I am amazed by your good grades in math.
to surprise
Both verbs say that something causes an unexpected reaction in a person. „Überraschen“ is more general and can simply describe the unexpected effect. „Erstaunen“ places greater emphasis on the surprise or the impressive impression it creates. Therefore, „erstaunen“ is more suitable for especially astonishing news; otherwise, „überraschen“ is usually the better choice.
Die unerwartete Nachricht erstaunte meine Kollegin wegen ihrer beeindruckenden Zahlen.
The unexpected news amazed my colleague because of its impressive figures.
Die unerwartete Nachricht überraschte meine Kollegin.
The unexpected news surprised my colleague.
