Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
あに図らんや (あにはからんや) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression
contrary to one's expectations ; to one's surprise
Archaic literary expression used to express surprise or an unexpected outcome. Not used in modern conversation; found in classical texts or highly stylized writing.
はか
ら
ん
や
、
こんな
所ところ
で
旧きゅう
友ゆう
に
会あ
う
と
は
。
To my surprise, I ran into an old friend in such a place.
Written forms あに 図はか らんや
Classical expression; the kanji spelling is literary and rare in modern writing.
豈あに 図はか らんや
Alternate kanji form using 豈; even rarer and more archaic in feel.
Kanji 豈 an interjection of surprise Similar words 意い 外がい にも Modern, common adverb meaning 'unexpectedly' or 'contrary to expectations'. Used in everyday speech and writing, unlike the archaic あに図らんや.
思おも いがけず Modern expression meaning 'unexpectedly' or 'by chance'. Neutral register and widely used, whereas あに図らんや is literary and archaic.
Etymology Classical Japanese expression combining the rhetorical interrogative あに (how could it be that...) with 図らんや (unexpected, from 図る 'to plan' + negative volitional/archaic ending). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it functions as a set phrase meaning 'contrary to expectations'.
