étonnés

Étonnés is a French word that translates to "astonished" or "surprised" in English. It is the past participle of the verb étonner, meaning to astonish or surprise. The word can be used as an adjective to describe a person or group who is experiencing a feeling of surprise. It is often used to express a strong or unexpected reaction to something.

For example, one might say "Les enfants étaient étonnés par le cadeau" which means "The children were astonished by the gift." The word emphasizes the unexpectedness and often the intensity of the surprise. It can be applied to a wide range of situations, from minor unexpected events to truly momentous discoveries.

The concept of being astonished is a common human emotion that has been explored in art, literature, and psychology. It signifies a disruption of expectations and a moment of heightened awareness. In French, étonnés captures this sense of being taken aback, often with a sense of wonder or disbelief. The grammatical form "étonnés" specifically indicates that the subject of the sentence is plural and masculine, or a mixed-gender group. If the subject were singular and feminine, it would be "étonnée."