perplex
perplexed
Puzzled, confused, or so surprised by something unexpected that you initially do not know how to react.
EXAMPLE
Nach dieser unerwarteten Nachricht war ich völlig perplex.
After this unexpected news, I was completely perplexed.
perplex
perplexed
perplex – perplexer – am perplexesten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry perplex, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | perplex |
|---|---|
| comparative | perplexer |
| superlative | am perplexesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to perplex.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to perplex.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to perplex.
Usage tips
Sentence patterns
'Perplex' (perplexed) is often used predicatively with 'sein' (to be), 'bleiben' (to remain), or 'schauen' (to look). Intensifiers such as 'völlig' (completely), 'ganz' (quite), or 'sichtlich' (visibly) are especially common before the adjective.
EXAMPLE
Nach der unerwarteten Frage blieb der Schüler perplex.
After the unexpected question, the student remained perplexed.
Die Gäste schauten sichtlich perplex auf die leere Bühne.
The guests looked visibly perplexed as they stared at the empty stage.
Typical collocations
Common combinations include 'perplex sein' (to be perplexed), 'perplex bleiben' (to remain perplexed), and 'perplex schauen' (to look perplexed). The word often describes an immediate reaction to unexpected news, a question, or a situation.
EXAMPLE
Nach der plötzlichen Absage war die Organisatorin perplex.
After the sudden cancellation, the organizer was perplexed.
Er blieb perplex, als niemand seine Frage beantwortete.
He remained perplexed when no one answered his question.
Register
'Perplex' (perplexed) is stylistically neutral and occurs in both spoken and written language. It is especially common in narrative or journalistic texts.
EXAMPLE
Der Bericht ließ selbst erfahrene Fachleute perplex zurück.
The report left even experienced specialists perplexed.
In real life
Loading video examples...