noun
surprise, astonishment
B1
Überraschung (die): means 'surprise' or 'astonishment'. Used for unexpected events or feelings. Plural is Überraschungen. As a feminine noun it follows regular declension (die Überraschung, der Überraschung). Common collocations: eine große Überraschung, zur Überraschung von jemandem. Often appears with verbs like bereiten or erleben.
Examples
Die Überraschung war groß.
The surprise was huge.
Zu meiner Überraschung war er pünktlich.
To my astonishment, he was on time.
Das ist eine Überraschung!
That's a surprise!
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a closed gift box that suddenly pops open revealing a shocked face.
Über-rasch-ung — think 'over' + 'rash' (a sudden reaction) to recall suddenness.
die — imagine a woman (she) opening the surprise box; 'die Überraschung' (feminine).
Notes
Plural: Überraschungen. Common collocations: 'zur Überraschung', 'eine große Überraschung'.