üllatuma

Üllatuma is an Estonian verb meaning to be surprised or to be astonished. It is the passive form of the verb üllatama, which means to surprise or to astonish. The verb üllatuma is often used in everyday conversation to express a feeling of unexpectedness or amazement. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from a pleasant surprise to an unpleasant shock.

The word üllatuma is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *yllätä, meaning to surprise. The passive suffix -ma is added to the verb stem to create the passive form. This grammatical structure is common in many Finno-Ugric languages.

Examples of its usage include: "Ma üllatusin seda nähes" (I was surprised to see this) or "Nad üllatusid tema tulekust" (They were surprised by his arrival). The intensity of the surprise can be modified with adverbs. For instance, "väga üllatuma" means to be very surprised, while "kergelt üllatuma" means to be slightly surprised. The verb can also be used reflexively, meaning to surprise oneself.

The concept of being surprised is a universal human emotion, and the Estonian language expresses this through the verb üllatuma. It plays a role in storytelling, daily interactions, and reflecting on unexpected events.