surprising
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surprising
Astonishing or surprising; something that causes amazement or surprise. It is often used in the negated form ('nicht verwunderlich' — not surprising).
Es ist nicht verwunderlich, dass er müde ist, er hat die ganze Nacht gearbeitet.
It is not surprising that he is tired; he worked all night.
The adjective is derived from the verb 'verwundern' (to astonish), which in turn comes from the noun 'das Wunder' (miracle/wonder). The ending '-lich' turns it into a quality: something is like a wonder, so it is surprising.
Ihre schnelle Genesung war für die Ärzte verwunderlich.
Her quick recovery was surprising to the doctors.
This word is very often negated: 'nicht verwunderlich' (not surprising) or 'kaum verwunderlich' (hardly surprising). It then means 'logical', 'to be expected', or 'no surprise'.
Es ist nicht verwunderlich, dass das Auto kaputt ist; es ist schon 20 Jahre alt.
It is not surprising that the car is broken; it is already 20 years old.
'Verwunderlich' (surprising) often appears in the construction 'Es ist (nicht) verwunderlich, dass ...' (It is [not] surprising that ...). The subordinate clause with 'dass' then explains exactly what causes the surprise.
Es ist verwunderlich, dass er die Prüfung bestanden hat, obwohl er nicht gelernt hat.
It is surprising that he passed the exam even though he did not study.
surprising
Überraschend mainly describes a development that one did not foresee. Verwunderlich refers to something that additionally causes surprise and may seem strange. Überraschend fits a mere departure from what was expected; verwunderlich is more appropriate when there is reason to think about it.
Der Temperaturanstieg trotz der deutlichen Kältewarnung war verwunderlich.
The rise in temperature despite the clear cold-weather warning was surprising.
Der plötzliche Temperaturanstieg am Abend war überraschend.
The sudden rise in temperature that evening was surprising.
