pasmado

Pasmado is an adjective in Spanish used to describe a person who is astonished, stupefied, or speechless as a result of a surprising or shocking situation. It can also refer to something that causes strong surprise or a momentary state of incredulity. In everyday speech, people often say someone is pasmado to emphasize a vivid reaction beyond simply surprised.

The term derives from the noun pasmo, which denotes astonishment or shock, and from the verb pasmar, meaning to astonish or stupefy. The adjective agrees in gender and number: pasmado (masculine), pasmada (feminine), pasmados, pasmadas (plural).

Usage notes and nuance: estar pasmado conveys a temporary, often intense reaction, similar to being blown away or in awe. It can range from mild astonishment to greater incredulity, depending on context and tone. In formal writing, pasmado is usable but more vivid or colloquial than synonyms such as asombrado, atónito, or estupefacto. In some dialects, pasmado can carry a sense of being visibly shocked or dumbfounded.

Examples: Se quedó pasmado ante la noticia. La expresión de su rostro era pasmada ante lo sucedido. Es una forma enfática de describir una reacción emocional intensa, sin implicar juicio moral.