shock
Loading your saved state.
shock
A sudden, intense emotional jolt triggered by an unexpected, usually negative event.
Die Nachricht von dem Unfall war ein großer Schock für die ganze Familie.
The news of the accident was a great shock to the whole family.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Schock' (shock) from the context. If it is about feelings, news, or surprises, it refers to the emotional state. In texts about accidents, injuries, or medicine, it refers to the life-threatening physical condition.
Als sie ihren Lottogewinn erfuhr, war der Schock groß.
When she found out about her lottery win, the shock was great.
In an emotional context, there are fixed expressions. You can say 'unter Schock stehen' (to be in shock), 'einen Schock bekommen' (to get a shock), or 'einen Schock verarbeiten' (to process a shock).
Nach dem Einbruch stand die Familie tagelang unter Schock.
After the break-in, the family was in shock for days.
To express for whom an event is a shock, you use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by a person in the accusative.
Die Kündigung war ein Schock für das gesamte Team.
The dismissal was a shock for the entire team.
The meaning involving circulatory collapse is a medical term. You mainly find it in reports about emergencies, in doctors' offices, or in hospitals.
Erste-Hilfe-Kurse lehren, wie man bei einem Schock reagieren muss.
First-aid courses teach how to respond in cases of shock.
surprise
'Überraschung' and 'Schock' can both be caused by something unexpected. The difference lies in intensity and evaluation. An 'Überraschung' can be pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. It can be an event, a gift, or the feeling of astonishment. A 'Schock' is much stronger and usually negative. It describes an intense emotional reaction to something distressing. Learners may confuse the words because both happen suddenly. If it is friendly or just unexpected, 'Überraschung' fits. If it is very bad and deeply upsetting, 'Schock' fits.
Der Unfall am Abend war für die ganze Familie ein Schock.
The accident that evening was a shock for the whole family.
Am Wochenende bekommt Lea eine schöne Überraschung von ihren Freunden.
At the weekend, Lea gets a lovely surprise from her friends.