English–Japanese

“unexpected” in Japanese

Japanese

Also唐突 (tōtotsu) · とんだ (tonda) · 予想外 (yosōgai) · 思いがけない (omoigakenai)

Pronunciation

Romajifui

Example

不意の知らせが届きました。fu i no shi ra se ga todo ki ma shi ta

An unexpected message arrived.

Illustration for 不意 (unexpected)

How to say “unexpected” in Japanese

“Unexpected” in Japanese is 不意 (fui).

Shows that an event occurs suddenly, without fitting a person's expectations or preparations.

Full entry for 不意: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 不意

その知らせはあまりに不意で、すぐには返事ができませんでした。so no shi ra se wa a ma ri ni fu i de su gu ni wa hen ji ga de ki ma se n de shi ta

The news was so unexpected that I could not reply right away.

Tips for using 不意

  • In conversation, 不意 (fui) often describes news or events that catch someone unprepared rather than events that are merely quick.

Other Japanese words for “unexpected”

2

唐突

tōtotsu

na-adjectiveunexpected

彼女の提案は唐突です。kano jo no tei an wa tō totsu de su

Her proposal is unexpected.

昨日はとんだ事故にあいました。kinō wa to n da ji ko ni a i ma shi ta

I had an unexpected accident yesterday.

その結果は予想外でした。so no kek ka wa yo sō gai de shi ta

The result was unexpected.

思いがけない贈り物をもらいました。omo i ga ke na i oku ri mono o mo ra i ma shi ta

I received an unexpected gift.

“unexpected” in other languages