Translation guide
Describing something that happens rarely or is out of the ordinary.
To say that something is an unusual or rare occurrence.
A natural, neutral way to say 'unusual event'. 珍しい means rare or uncommon, and 出来事 means event or incident.
こんなに早く雪が降るのは珍しい出来事です。
It's an unusual event for snow to fall this early.
Slightly more formal, emphasizing that the event is unprecedented or against the norm. Often used in news or official contexts.
To emphasize that the event was not just rare, but also surprising or out of the blue.
意外 means unexpected or surprising. This phrase highlights the surprising nature of the event.
彼が辞職するとは意外な出来事だった。
His resignation was an unexpected event.
To describe an event that is not just unusual but also weird or inexplicable.
奇妙 means strange or odd. This is the most common way to say a weird event.
昨夜、奇妙な出来事があった。
A strange event happened last night.
珍しい (mezurashii) is the most common word for 'unusual' or 'rare' and can be used in daily conversation. まれ (mare) is slightly more formal and emphasizes statistical rarity. For 'unusual event', 珍しい出来事 is the safest choice.
珍しい出来事ですね。
That's an unusual event, isn't it?
まれな出来事です。
It's a rare event.
今回の決定は異例の出来事だ。
This decision is an unusual event.
Emphasizes rarity. まれ means rare or infrequent. Slightly more literary than 珍しい.
この地域で地震が起こるのはまれな出来事です。
Earthquakes are a rare event in this area.
A literary or formal term for a strange or unusual event. Rarely used in everyday speech.
それはまさに椿事であった。
That was truly an unusual event.
Similar to 意外な, but with a nuance of something happening that you never imagined. More emotional.
思いがけない出来事が起こった。
An unexpected event occurred.
不思議 means mysterious or wondrous. It implies a sense of wonder or curiosity about the event.
それは不思議な出来事だった。
It was a mysterious event.