Usage patterns 意い 外がい な 〈 事こと 〉 an unexpected thing/fact
I was surprised to learn an unexpected side of him.
意い 外がい に 〈 形けい 容よう 詞し 〉 unexpectedly [adjective]; more/less ~ than expected
This cake is surprisingly delicious.
意い 外がい と 〈 形けい 容よう 詞し 〉 surprisingly, actually [adjective] (casual, when checking against assumptions)
This problem turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Related words· 11 案外 suggests something turned out different from expectations (often 'more/less than expected'), while 意外 conveys a stronger sense of genuine surprise.
思いがけない is more emotional and spontaneous ('out of the blue'), while 意外 is more analytical, describing a gap between assumption and reality.
意外 is a na-adjective/noun meaning 'unexpected', often used as 意外に , while 思いがけず is a set adverbial expression with a slightly more literary or emphatic feel.
意外 is a neutral word for 'unexpected', while とんだ adds a strong emotional reaction, usually of surprise or dismay.
Show 7 more Show fewer 意外 emphasizes surprise or contrast to expectations, while 予想外 more neutrally states that something simply was not predicted.
意外 is a common na-adjective meaning 'unexpected' in general, while 意表 is a noun almost always used in the fixed phrase 意表を突く (to catch someone off guard).
意外 means 'unexpected' in a neutral or even positive way, while 心外 implies displeasure or a feeling of being wronged by the unexpected result.
意外 means 'unexpected' in a general, sometimes pleasant sense, whereas 不慮 specifically implies an unforeseen misfortune or tragedy beyond one's control.
意外 means 'unexpected' in the sense of contrary to what one expected, while 不意 focuses on the abruptness and absence of any prior notice.
意外 is a na-adjective/noun meaning 'unexpected' and is often used as 意外に /意外と before a verb or adjective, whereas 思いのほか is itself an adverb that directly modifies the following word without a particle.
意外 is a common na-adjective/noun meaning 'surprising, unexpected' and can stand alone as a predicate, whereas 予期せぬ only modifies a following noun.
Etymology From 意 (mind, thought) + 外 (outside), literally 'outside one's thoughts'. The meaning 'unexpected' is directly derived from this composition.
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