The verb "aturdir" is primarily used to describe the action of overwhelming someone mentally or physically, causing confusion or a state of distraction. It can refer to being metaphorically stunned, as in receiving surprising news, or literally, such as feeling dizzy.
"Aturdir" is more commonly utilized in oral speech than in written contexts, often employed in everyday conversations.
The noise from the concert dazed me, and I couldn't concentrate.
La noticia del accidente aturdió a todos en la sala.
The news of the accident stunned everyone in the room.
Me sentí aturdido después de recibir tantas tareas a la vez.
"Aturdir" is not widely used in fixed idiomatic expressions, but it's involved in several phrases that convey mental or sensory overload:
The teacher overwhelmed the students with so much information in one class.
Estar aturdido de golpe
She felt dazed suddenly when her boss offered her the promotion.
Aturdirse con el ruido
The word "aturdir" comes from the Latin "turdīre," which means to twist or turn. The prefix "a-" generally indicates a direction or movement in Spanish. This reflects the sense of being turned around mentally or confused.