Es ist nicht zu fassen, wie schrecklich abgemagert die Flüchtlinge
sind.
It is unbelievable how terribly emaciated the refugees are.114.4 Astonishment and awe
staunen ‘to be astonished’, and jmdn. erstaunen ‘to astonish sb.’, convey
astonishment or even awe about something great or miraculous:Es hat mich erstaunt, dass am Feiertag so wenig Leute im Museum
waren.
I was surprised to see so few people in the museum on a public
holiday.Über die sieben Weltwunder wird immer wieder gestaunt.
The seven wonders of the world never cease to amaze people.Seine Erfindung hatte das Staunen der Nachwelt erregt.
His invention had astonished (lit. excited the astonishment of) future
generations.114.5 Incomprehension
(a) sich (= acc.) über etw. (= acc.) wundern ‘to be surprised about something’ is also
used for total incomprehension, for something that cannot be understood:Er wunderte sich über ihr eigenartiges Verhalten.
He could not understand her strange behaviour.(b) Where an interrogative clause follows, ich frage mich is used:Ich frage mich, ob /warum hier eine Radarfalle ist.
I wonder whether/why there is a speed trap here.(c) verwundert sein denotes an even more confused state of surprise:Wir waren völlig verwundert, wie sehr sie sich zu ihrem Vorteil
verändert hatte.
We were completely surprised by how much she had changed for the
better.114.6 Shock and dismay
To express shock at an event:Die Gemeinde war über die Zahl der Kirchenaustritte schockiert.
The parishioners were shocked at the number of people leaving
the church.Die Wanderer waren über das Waldsterben sehr bestürzt.
The walkers were most alarmed about the forest dying.See 111.3k (p. 399) for more expressions of shock and fright.
114
Expressing surprise