Verwonder

Verwonder is a Dutch verb meaning to astonish, surprise, or evoke astonishment in someone. It can be used transitively, as in Het nieuws verwondert velen, and pronominally, with het zich verwonderen over something, meaning to marvel at or be astonished by something. The word belongs to the family around wonder, with the action of causing wonder or awe.

Etymology and related forms: verwonder is built from the prefix ver- plus wonder (miracle, marvel). The related noun verwondering denotes the feeling or state of being astonished, while the adjective verwonderlijk means astonishing or remarkable. In everyday language, verwonder is more formal or literary; in ordinary speech, verbs such as verbazen or inspireren are often used instead.

Usage and register: In contemporary Dutch, verwonder is primarily found in literary, historical, or philosophical contexts. It can convey a sense of reverent or contemplative awe, rather than simple surprise. It is common to encounter phrases like zich verwonderen over, or to discuss verwondering as a phenomenon in essays or religious discourse.

Examples: Het verhaal verwonderde de verzamelde gasten. Zij verwonderde zich over de nauwkeurigheid van de meting. Dat fenomeen is verwonderlijk. Tijdens de presentatie sprak hij met verwondering over de menselijke mogelijkheden.

See also: verwondering (noun), verwonderlijk (adjective), verwonderen (infinitive form related verb).