sobrecoger
overwhelm
The Spanish verb "sobrecoger" means to startle, to frighten, or to suddenly cause fear or surprise in someone. It typically refers to an emotionally sudden reaction, such as being shocked or overwhelmed by an unexpected event.
Meaning and Usage
- Sobrecoger is a combination of the prefix "sobre-", meaning over or above, and the verb "coger", which means to take or to seize. So, literally, it can be taken as "to seize over" or "to seize abruptly."
- When someone or something "sobrecoge," it creates a strong, sudden emotional impact that causes fear or surprise.
Examples:
-
La noticia me sobrecogió.
The news startled me. -
La sombra de repente me sobrecogió.
The shadow suddenly frightened me.
Synonyms:
- Asustar (to frighten)
- Atemorizar (to intimidate)
- Espantar (to scare)
- Sobresaltar (to startle)
Antonyms:
- Tranquilizar (to calm)
- Relajar (to relax)
- Calmar (to soothe)
In summary, sobrecoger refers to a sudden emotional reaction, especially fear or astonishment caused by an external factor. It emphasizes the immediacy and intensity of the feeling.
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Examples
Aquellas imágenes terribles lograron sobrecoger al público en silencio.verb
Those terrible images managed to overwhelm the audience into silence.
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