mshangao

How to say it

Meaning

The feeling of being surprised or amazed by something unexpected, good or bad.

Good to know

M/mi class noun, plural mishangao; from kushangaa, to be surprised. Kwa mshangao means in surprise and kwa mshangao mkubwa to everyone’s great surprise. The spelling msangao is a variant.

Examples

• Aliniangalia kwa mshangao nilipomwambia habari hiyo.She looked at me in surprise when I told her the news.
• Kwa mshangao wa wengi, timu ndogo ilishinda kombe.To the surprise of many, the small team won the cup.
• Uamuzi huo ulileta mshangao kijijini.That decision caused astonishment in the village.

Forms

msangao