Spanish word

inesperado

Pronunciation

IPA/inespeˈɾaðo/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunexpected

Example

Hubo un problema inesperado.

There was an unexpected problem.

Illustration for inesperado (unexpected)

More examples

Llegó una inesperada visita por la tarde.

An unexpected visit arrived in the afternoon.

Core concept

A sudden, surprising occurrence that was not planned.

Common phrases

  • sorpresa inesperada

    unexpected surprise

  • noticia inesperada

    unexpected news

  • visita inesperada

    unexpected visit

Similar words

imprevisto: An unforeseen event that could not be predicted or prepared for.
sorprendente: Causes strong surprise or interest because it is unusual, remarkable, or striking.
accidental: Comes about unintentionally, as a coincidence, mistake, or accident.

Definition in Spanish

Que sucede sin haber sido previsto y aparece de manera sorpresiva.

Word origin

Formed from the negative prefix in- and esperado (the past participle of esperar, from Latin sperare), giving the sense 'not expected' or 'unforeseen'.

Usage tips

  • Often appears with ser or resultar in phrases like fue inesperado or resultó inesperado to report that something turned out to be unexpected.

Other meanings

  • unforeseenadjective
  • surprisingadjective

Opposites

  • esperadoexpectedadjective

Related words

  • inesperadamenteunexpectedlyadverb

Word lists with this word