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案外 (あんがい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Meanings 1
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
unexpectedly ; surprisingly ; contrary to expectations
Adverbial use expressing that something is different from what one thought. Often softens a statement, similar to 'actually' or 'more than I expected'.
がい
、
彼かれ
は
来こ
なかっ
た
。
Unexpectedly, he didn't come.
2
na-adjective
unexpected ; surprising ; unforeseen
Adjectival use with な/に, describing something as contrary to expectations. Less common than the adverbial use but natural in phrases like 案外な結果.
Written forms 案あん 外がい Usage 96%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency in news and general use.
あんがい Usage 4%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing and when the kanji is not needed.
Similar words 意い 外がい 意外 is more common as an adjectival noun (意外な事実) and often carries a stronger sense of 'unexpected' or 'surprising'. 案外 is more adverbial and often used to soften a statement.
思おも いのほか 思いのほか is a more formal or literary adverbial expression meaning 'unexpectedly' or 'more than one thought'. 案外 is more colloquial and everyday.
Etymology Compound of 案 (idea, expectation) and 外 (outside), literally 'outside one's expectations'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning has been stable in modern Japanese.
