Grammar to Know
Nouns in German are always capitalized.
Das Staunen war groß. (The astonishment was great.)
Nouns have a gender, indicated by the definite article (der, die, das). 'das Staunen' is neuter.
Das Staunen über die Schönheit der Natur war unbeschreiblich. (The astonishment at the beauty of nature was indescribable.)
When 'Staunen' is used as a noun, it often appears with prepositions like 'über' (about/at) to specify the cause of astonishment.
Sein Staunen über die neue Technologie war offensichtlich. (His astonishment at the new technology was obvious.)
The verb form of 'Staunen' is 'staunen' (to be astonished, to marvel), which is a weak verb.
Er staunte über die Aussicht. (He marveled at the view.)
You can use 'zum Staunen bringen' (to make someone marvel/astonished) as a common idiom.
Ihre Leistung brachte uns zum Staunen. (Her performance astonished us.)
Grammar Patterns
Sentence Patterns
zu (mein/dein/sein etc.) Staunen
Zu meinem Staunen war das Konzert ausverkauft. (To my astonishment, the concert was sold out.)
voller Staunen
Sie sah ihn voller Staunen an. (She looked at him full of amazement.)
vor Staunen
Vor Staunen konnte er kein Wort sagen. (He couldn't say a word out of astonishment.)
in Staunen versetzen
Ihre Leistung versetzte uns alle in Staunen. (Her performance amazed all of us. / Her performance put all of us in astonishment.)
mit Staunen feststellen
Ich stellte mit Staunen fest, dass sie Deutsch sprach. (I realized with astonishment that she spoke German.)
das Staunen über (etwas/jemanden)
Sein Staunen über die Schönheit der Alpen war groß. (His astonishment at the beauty of the Alps was great.)
das Staunen erregen
Die Geschwindigkeit des Autos erregte mein Staunen. (The car's speed aroused my astonishment.)
in Staunen geraten
Als ich die Aussicht sah, geriet ich in Staunen. (When I saw the view, I became amazed. / When I saw the view, I fell into astonishment.)
Test Yourself 6 questions
Sein unerwarteter Erfolg erfüllte alle mit großem ___. (His unexpected success filled everyone with great astonishment.)
The context implies a feeling of wonder or surprise at the success, for which 'Staunen' (astonishment) is the most fitting noun.
Das architektonische Meisterwerk versetzte die Besucher ins reine ___. (The architectural masterpiece left the visitors in pure amazement.)
'Ins Staunen versetzen' is a common idiom meaning to amaze or astonish someone. The other options do not fit the context of a masterpiece inspiring awe.
Mit offenem Mund und in tiefem ___ beobachteten sie das Schauspiel. (With open mouths and in deep astonishment, they watched the spectacle.)
The phrase 'in tiefem Staunen' (in deep astonishment) perfectly describes the reaction to an impressive spectacle, especially when combined with 'mit offenem Mund' (with open mouths).
Zum großen ___ aller Anwesenden sprach der Fremde fließend fünf Sprachen. (To the great astonishment of everyone present, the stranger spoke five languages fluently.)
'Zum großen Staunen' is a common expression used to indicate that something caused great surprise or astonishment to those present.
Das Kind blickte mit kindlichem ___ auf die funkelnden Lichter. (The child looked with childlike astonishment at the sparkling lights.)
A child's reaction to sparkling lights is typically one of wonder and amazement, which 'kindlichem Staunen' (childlike astonishment) captures perfectly.
Trotz der vielen Reisen verlor er nie die Fähigkeit zum ___. (Despite many travels, he never lost the ability to be astonished.)
The sentence implies that even with much experience, he retained a sense of wonder. 'Die Fähigkeit zum Staunen' (the ability to be astonished) fits this meaning best.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
More emotions words
abgeneigt
B1Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something; averse.
ablehnend
B1disapproving, rejecting
abneigen
B1To feel aversion or dislike towards someone or something.
Abneigung
B1aversion, dislike
Abscheu
B1A feeling of intense dislike or abhorrence.
abscheuen
B1To regard with disgust and hatred; to abhor.
Ach!
A1Oh, ah, expressing surprise, pain, or realization.
ach
A2oh, ah; expressing various emotions like surprise, understanding, or regret.
akzeptierend
B1accepting
Albtraum
A2Nightmare; a frightening or unpleasant dream.
