Étonniez

Étonniez is a French verb meaning "to surprise" or "to astonish." It is the second-person plural present indicative form of the verb étonner. When used in a sentence, it addresses a group of people and indicates that something is causing them to be surprised. For example, "Vous m'étonnez" translates to "You surprise me" when addressing one person formally or multiple people.

The root of the verb, "étonner," originates from the Old French word "estoner," which itself is derived from the Vulgar Latin "*extonare." This Latin term is believed to come from the verb "tonare," meaning "to thunder," with the prefix "ex-" implying an outward or strong effect. Therefore, the original sense of the word was akin to being struck or stunned, much like the effect of thunder.

In modern French, étonniez is used in a variety of contexts to describe the feeling of surprise. It can be a mild unexpectedness or a profound shock. The verb can be conjugated in different tenses and moods to reflect varying degrees of surprise and the timing of the event causing it. Understanding the conjugation of étonner is key to correctly using its various forms, including étonniez.