Sobresaltaron

Sobresaltaron is the third-person plural preterite form of the Spanish verb "sobresaltar". The verb "sobresaltar" means to startle, to surprise, or to frighten someone suddenly. Therefore, "sobresaltaron" translates to "they startled," "they surprised," or "they frightened."

This verb form is used to describe an action that happened in the past and is now completed. For example, "Los ruidos fuertes sobresaltaron a los niños" translates to "The loud noises startled the children." In this sentence, "sobresaltaron" indicates that the children were suddenly frightened by the noises, and this action occurred and finished at a specific point in the past.

The word can also be used in a less intense sense, simply meaning to surprise someone unexpectedly. For instance, "Sus amigos lo sobresaltaron con una fiesta sorpresa" means "His friends surprised him with a surprise party." Here, the element of suddenness is still present, but the emotion is one of surprise rather than fright. The context of the sentence is crucial in determining the precise nuance of "sobresaltaron." It is a common verb in Spanish, frequently encountered in literature, conversation, and everyday communication to describe instances of sudden commotion or unexpected events.