erstarrt

frozen rigid, immobilised

adjective er-SHTARRT Rare

Also means

numb (from cold or shock)

Usage Note

Erstarrt describes a complete, involuntary rigidity — a person frozen to the spot by shock or cold, a landscape locked in frost. Erstarrt vor Schrecken (frozen with fright), erstarrte Lava (solidified lava). Implies a sudden halt rather than gradual stiffness.

Examples

"Sie stand erstarrt an der Tür, als sie die Nachricht hörte."

Natural Translation

She stood frozen at the door when she heard the news.

Literal Translation

She stood rigid at the door when she heard the news.

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