かと思ったMistaken impression or unexpected outcome
Reports an earlier impression or expectation that turned out to be wrong. With a feared event, it can also mean that the event seemed about to happen but ultimately did not.
An impression corrected by reality
The speaker first interpreted the situation one way, then learned or experienced something different. A complete example should normally reveal that difference; without it, the sentence may sound like an ordinary report of what someone thought.
Mistaken identity and degree
The correction may concern a person's identity, the category of something, or the expected degree of a quality.
When something almost seemed to happen
With a feared or dramatic event, the construction often describes a strong reaction: for a moment, it felt as though the event was about to happen. The usual implication is that it did not actually happen.
階段で足を滑らせ、転ぶかと思ったが、手すりにつかまって助かった。
I slipped on the stairs and thought I was going to fall, but I grabbed the handrail and was all right.
AnalyzeThree patterns that look similar
かと思った ends the report of a mistaken impression. Adding ら creates かと思ったら, a separate connector used for rapid or surprising sequence. Plain と思った can merely report a belief without showing that it was wrong. A volitional verb followed by かと思った belongs to a separate pattern about considering whether to act.
More examples
外は寒いかと思ったが、日なたは暖かかった。
I thought it would be cold outside, but it was warm in the sun.
Analyze会議は中止かと思ったが、予定どおり始まった。
I thought the meeting had been canceled, but it started as scheduled.
Analyzeもう終わったかと思ったが、最後の課題が残っていた。
I thought it was already over, but the final task was still left.
Analyze試験はもっと難しいかと思ったけれど、基本問題が多かった。
I thought the exam would be harder, but it had many basic questions.
Analyze大きな音がしたので、窓が割れたかと思ったが、無事だった。
There was a loud noise, so I thought the window had broken, but it was undamaged.
Analyze電車に乗り遅れるかと思ったが、ぎりぎり間に合った。
I thought I was going to miss the train, but I made it just in time.
Analyze予約日は今日かと思いましたが、明日でした。
I thought the reservation was for today, but it was for tomorrow.
Analyze