sobresaltado

Sobresaltado is a Spanish word that translates to startled, shocked, or taken aback in English. It describes a sudden feeling of surprise or alarm, often due to an unexpected event or noise. The term can be used to describe a person's emotional reaction or a physical jolt.

The experience of being sobresaltado can range from mild surprise to intense fright, depending on the nature of the stimulus. For instance, a loud bang might leave someone feeling momentarily sobresaltado, while a sudden appearance of a person could elicit a stronger reaction. The feeling is typically transient, with the person quickly recovering from the initial shock.

In literature and everyday conversation, sobresaltado is employed to convey a sense of sudden disruption to a state of calm or unawareness. It captures the involuntary nature of the reaction, highlighting how external factors can abruptly alter one's emotional and physical state. The word itself carries a sense of abruptness, fitting for the feeling it describes. It is a common expression used to articulate a universal human experience of being surprised by the unexpected.