erschrecken

See also: Erschrecken

German

Etymology

er- +‎ schrecken

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛʁˈʃʁɛkən/, [ɛɐ̯ˈʃʁɛkən], [ɛɐ̯ˈʃʁɛkŋ̍]
• Hyphenation: er‧schre‧cken

• audio:

  (file)

Verb

1. (standard, intransitive, auxiliary sein) to be frightened; to be startled

   Ich bin erschrocken. ― I got scared.

2. (chiefly colloquial, reflexive, auxiliary haben) to be frightened; to be startled

   Ich habe mich erschrocken. ― I got scared.

3. (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?

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.

Verb

1. (transitive) to frighten; to scare (someone)

   Du hast mich erschreckt. ― You scared me.

2. (reflexive) to be frightened; to be startled

   Ich habe mich erschreckt. ― I got scared.

Related terms

• abschrecken
• aufschrecken
• verschrecken

See also

• aufscheuchen
• verscheuchen
• vertreiben
• vergrämen
• vergräzen