German word

unerwartet

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnɛɐ̯ˌvaʁtət/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunexpected

Example

Das Ergebnis war unerwartet.

The result was unexpected.

Illustration for unerwartet (unexpected)

More examples

Das war ein unerwartetes Ereignis für alle.

That was an unexpected event for everyone.

Core concept

A result stepping outside the path that earlier expectations seemed to mark.

Common phrases

  • unerwartetes Ereignis

    unexpected event

  • unerwartete Reaktion

    unexpected reaction

  • unerwartetes Angebot

    unexpected offer

Similar words

überraschend: Unexpected in a way that draws attention or causes surprise.
plötzlich: Happening suddenly, with little or no warning.
unvorhergesehen: Not predicted before the event occurred.
unerhofft: Bringing unexpected good fortune or a welcome result.

Definition in German

Nicht vorhersehbar; ein Ereignis oder Ergebnis, das den Erwartungen widerspricht.

Word origin

The adjective combines un- with erwartet, the past participle of erwarten, a verb formed from er- and warten, from Old High German warten.

Usage tips

  • After sein, werden, or bleiben, unerwartet stays unchanged, as in Das Ergebnis war unerwartet; attributive use requires an adjective ending.

Other meanings

  • unexpectedlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Unerwartetethe unexpectednoun
  • unerwarteterweiseunexpectedlyadverb

Word lists with this word