förundrad

Förundrad is a Swedish adjective describing a state of wonder or astonishment. It denotes a response marked by awe, admiration, or marvel, often in reaction to something remarkable, beautiful, surprising, or mysterious. The term conveys a sense of contemplative or reverential astonishment and is common in literary, descriptive, and journalistic language.

Etymology and forms: Förundra is the verb meaning to astonish or fill with awe; förundran is the related noun. The adjective has the forms förundrad (common gender singular), förundrat (neuter singular) and förundrade (plural or definite forms). Examples: en förundrad betraktare, ett förundrat ögonblick, de förundrade åskådarna. Predicative phrases include "hon var förundrad" and "han stod förundrad." The reflexive verb form förundras över is used to express marveling at something, as in förundras över naturens skönhet.

Usage: Förundrad is used to describe a deeper, more reflective sense of astonishment than casual surprise. It is frequently found in descriptions of nature, art, extraordinary events, or moments that evoke reverence. In everyday speech it can be replaced by förvånad or häpen when a lighter tone is intended, or by imponerad when the emphasis is on admiration rather than awe.

Se of usage notes: The word often carries an elevated or literary tone, though it remains a standard part of Swedish vocabulary for expressing genuine awe. Etymologically linked forms include förundran and the related verb förundra.