A2 Expression 중립

What a surprise

Expressing astonishment

Used to show that you are surprised by something.

🌍

문화적 배경

The British are masters of the 'sarcastic surprise'. If it rains in London, a Brit might say 'What a surprise' with a heavy sigh. It's a way of bonding over shared frustrations. Americans tend to use the phrase more earnestly and loudly, especially in social settings like 'surprise parties', which are a major cultural staple. While Japanese people use 'Bikkuri shita', they might find the English 'What a surprise' a bit direct. They often prefer to use 'Ehhh?!' (a sound of surprise) before using words. Germans value precision. If you say 'What a surprise' sarcastically, they will understand, but they might prefer a more direct 'Das war ja klar' (That was clear/expected).

💡

The Sarcasm Key

If you want to be sarcastic, keep your voice very flat and don't move your eyebrows.

⚠️

Don't forget the 'A'

Saying 'What surprise' sounds like a direct translation from Spanish or Russian. Always include the 'a'.

Used to show that you are surprised by something.

💡

The Sarcasm Key

If you want to be sarcastic, keep your voice very flat and don't move your eyebrows.

⚠️

Don't forget the 'A'

Saying 'What surprise' sounds like a direct translation from Spanish or Russian. Always include the 'a'.

🎯

Add 'Pleasant'

Adding 'pleasant' makes you sound much more fluent and polite in social situations.

💬

British Irony

In the UK, if someone says 'What a surprise' about the weather, they are almost certainly complaining.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the missing words to complete the exclamation.

I didn't know you were coming! ____ ____ surprise!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a

We use 'What a' before a singular countable noun like 'surprise'.

Which sentence is the best reaction to a friend giving you an unexpected gift?

Your friend: 'I bought this for you!' You: '...'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a surprise! Thank you!

'What a surprise' is the standard, grammatically correct way to react.

Match the tone of 'What a surprise' to the situation.

Situation: The Wi-Fi stops working for the fifth time today. You say: 'What a surprise.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Sarcastic/Annoyed

When something bad and predictable happens, 'What a surprise' is usually sarcastic.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.

A: 'Guess what? I passed my driving test!' B: '____! I'm so happy for you!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a surprise

'What a surprise' fits the context of reacting to good, unexpected news.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the missing words to complete the exclamation. Fill Blank A2

I didn't know you were coming! ____ ____ surprise!

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a

We use 'What a' before a singular countable noun like 'surprise'.

Which sentence is the best reaction to a friend giving you an unexpected gift? Choose A2

Your friend: 'I bought this for you!' You: '...'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a surprise! Thank you!

'What a surprise' is the standard, grammatically correct way to react.

Match the tone of 'What a surprise' to the situation. situation_matching B1

Situation: The Wi-Fi stops working for the fifth time today. You say: 'What a surprise.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Sarcastic/Annoyed

When something bad and predictable happens, 'What a surprise' is usually sarcastic.

Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Guess what? I passed my driving test!' B: '____! I'm so happy for you!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: What a surprise

'What a surprise' fits the context of reacting to good, unexpected news.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, it can be positive, negative, or sarcastic depending on your tone and the situation.

Yes! You can add adjectives like 'big', 'huge', 'wonderful', or 'nasty' before 'surprise'.

'Surprise!' is what you shout when you jump out at someone. 'What a surprise!' is the reaction of the person who was jumped at.

This is almost always sarcastic. It means 'I expected this to happen, and I'm not happy about it.'

Yes, but only if the news is positive. For example: 'What a pleasant surprise to receive your feedback so quickly!'

It is always 'What a surprise'. 'Surprise' is a countable noun here.

Link 'What' and 'a' together so they sound like one word: 'Wotta'.

Be careful. Using it for very bad news (like a death) is rude. Use it for minor bad news sarcastically.

You could say 'That was quite unexpected' or 'I hadn't anticipated that.'

In informal writing, yes. It shows the emotion of the exclamation.

관련 표현

🔗

What a pleasant surprise

specialized form

A surprise that is specifically good.

🔗

Surprise, surprise

similar

Used almost exclusively for sarcasm.

🔄

I'm shocked

synonym

Expressing strong surprise.

🔗

Who would have thought?

similar

Expressing that something was hard to predict.

🔗

What a shame

contrast

Expressing disappointment.

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