Talking About What Surprised You

Expressing surprise and wonder about things you've encountered while traveling.

You
¡No puedo creer lo hermoso que es este lugar!
noh PWEH-doh kreh-EHR loh ehr-MOH-soh keh ehs EHS-teh loo-GAR
I can't believe how beautiful this place is!
"No puedo creer lo + adjective + que" is a powerful structure for expressing amazement.
Local
¿Es la primera vez que visitas Latinoamérica?
ehs lah pree-MEH-rah vehs keh vee-SEE-tahs lah-tee-noh-ah-MEH-ree-kah
Is this your first time visiting Latin America?
You
Sí, y me sorprende lo diferente que es todo. Especialmente la naturaleza.
see, ee meh sohr-PREHN-deh loh dee-feh-REHN-teh keh ehs TOH-doh. ehs-peh-see-AHL-mehn-teh lah nah-too-rah-LEH-sah
Yes, and I'm surprised by how different everything is. Especially the nature.
"Me sorprende" works like "me gusta" — the thing that surprises you is the subject.
Local
¡Esto no es nada! Tienes que ver las montañas. Te van a dejar sin palabras.
EHS-toh noh ehs NAH-dah! tee-EH-nehs keh vehr lahs mohn-TAH-nyahs. teh vahn ah deh-HAR seen pah-LAH-brahs
This is nothing! You have to see the mountains. They'll leave you speechless.
"Dejar sin palabras" literally means "to leave without words" — a vivid expression for being awestruck.
You
¡No me digas! Ya quiero ir. Todo aquí me impresiona.
noh meh DEE-gahs! yah kee-EH-roh eer. TOH-doh ah-KEE meh eem-preh-see-OH-nah
No way! I already want to go. Everything here impresses me.