erschrecken
See also: Erschrecken
German
Etymology
Pronunciation
Verb
- (standard, intransitive, auxiliary sein) to be frightened; to be startled
- Ich bin erschrocken. ― I got scared.
- (chiefly colloquial, reflexive, auxiliary haben) to be frightened; to be startled
- Ich habe mich erschrocken. ― I got scared.
- (dated, transitive, auxiliary haben) to frighten; to scare (someone)
- Heinrich von Kleist, Mädchenrätsel
- Bebt er, ihr Schwestern, was, / Redet, erschrickt ihn?
- When he quakes, you sisters, what, / Speak, scares him?
- Heinrich von Kleist, Mädchenrätsel
Usage notes
In the modern standard language there is a split between the strong intransitive verb and the weak transitive/reflexive verb (see below). However, the strong verb may also be used reflexively, albeit chiefly in the vernacular. In older German, the strong verb was even used transitively.
Conjugation
Verb
- (transitive) to frighten; to scare (someone)
- Du hast mich erschreckt. ― You scared me.
- (reflexive) to be frightened; to be startled
- Ich habe mich erschreckt. ― I got scared.