to wonder / surprise
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to wonder
To be amazed or surprised because something is unexpected, unusual, or hard to understand. Often used with the preposition 'über' or a 'dass' clause.
Ich wundere mich, dass er die Einladung angenommen hat.
I wonder that he accepted the invitation.
The verb 'wundern' (to wonder/surprise) is closely related to the noun 'das Wunder' (miracle) and the adjective 'wunderbar' (wonderful). All of these words have to do with amazement and something special.
Es ist ein Wunder, dass bei dem Unfall niemand verletzt wurde.
It is a miracle that no one was injured in the accident.
The most common form is reflexive: 'sich wundern' (to wonder). The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich) is obligatory here.
Du wunderst dich bestimmt über meinen Anruf.
You're probably wondering about my call.
The reason for the amazement is usually added with the preposition 'über' (+ accusative) or a subordinate clause with 'dass' or a question word (wie, warum, wo).
Ich wundere mich über das seltsame Geräusch.
I wonder about the strange noise.
The non-reflexive form is almost always used impersonally with 'es' as the subject: 'Es wundert mich/dich/ihn...' (It surprises me/you/him...). Here, the person who is surprised is the object of the sentence.
Es wundert mich nicht, dass er die Prüfung nicht bestanden hat.
It doesn't surprise me that he didn't pass the exam.
to surprise
'überraschen' and 'wundern' both have to do with something unexpected. 'Überraschen' usually describes the cause: a piece of news, a person, or an event catches someone by surprise. 'Sich wundern' describes more of the reaction: you are surprised or do not immediately understand something. That is why people often say 'Ich wundere mich über ...' (I wonder about / am surprised by ...) or 'Ich wundere mich, dass ...' (I wonder / am surprised that ...). Learners easily confuse the words because both are connected to astonishment. Memory tip: something surprises you, and afterward you may wonder about it.
Beim Frühstück wundere ich mich, dass mein Handy plötzlich aus ist.
At breakfast, I wonder why my phone is suddenly off.
Lena überrascht ihren Bruder mit einer kleinen Feier.
Lena surprises her brother with a small party.