verb
to wonder / be surprised, to surprise
B1
Wundern has two main senses: reflexive sich wundern = 'to be surprised' or 'to wonder' (commonly used with über + accusative), and transitive wundern jdn. = 'to surprise someone'. Regular weak verb; Perfekt with haben (habe gewundert). Both reflexive and non‑reflexive uses common; participle gewundert.
Examples
Ich habe mich gewundert.
I was surprised.
Ich wundere mich über das Wetter.
I'm surprised by the weather.
Seine unerwartete Antwort hat mich gewundert.
His unexpected answer surprised me.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a person with raised eyebrows saying 'I wonder!'
sounds like English 'wonder' (to be surprised)
N/A
Notes
Can be used reflexively (sich wundern = to be surprised) or transitively (jdn. wundern = to surprise someone). In everyday speech, the reflexive use is more common for 'to be surprised'. Konjunktiv I Präteritum forms are not used; any Konjunktiv I präteritum entries have been marked 'not applicable'.