speechless / stunned
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speechless / stunned
So surprised, confused, or horrified by an unexpected, usually shocking event that one loses composure and does not know how to react.
Sie starrte ihn fassungslos an, als er ihr die unglaubliche Geschichte erzählte.
She stared at him speechlessly when he told her the unbelievable story.
The word is made up of 'Fassung' and the ending '-los' (-less). 'Die Fassung' means composure or calm. So 'fassungslos' (speechless/stunned) literally describes the state in which one has lost one's composure.
Nach der unerwarteten Nachricht war er völlig fassungslos.
After the unexpected news, he was completely stunned.
'Fassungslos' (speechless/stunned) is very often used as an adverb to describe the manner of a reaction. It then usually appears with verbs of perception or reaction such as 'ansehen' (to look at), 'anstarren' (to stare at), or 'zuhören' (to listen).
Die Zuschauer sahen fassungslos zu, wie der Magier verschwand.
The audience watched speechlessly as the magician disappeared.
Common constructions with this adjective are 'fassungslos sein' (to be speechless/stunned) and 'jemanden fassungslos machen' (to leave someone speechless/stunned). These describe the state of shock or the triggering of that state.
Die Höhe der Rechnung machte mich einfach nur fassungslos.
The amount of the bill simply left me speechless.
horrified
Entsetzt and fassungslos both describe a strong reaction to a shocking event. Entsetzt particularly emphasizes horror, terror, or disgust, while fassungslos highlights losing one's composure and feeling at a loss. Choose entsetzt when someone is horrified, and fassungslos when someone does not know how to react.
Nach der überraschenden Nachricht stand sie fassungslos im Flur.
After the surprising news, she stood speechless in the hallway.
Die Zuschauer waren entsetzt über die grausamen Bilder.
The viewers were horrified by the gruesome images.
