Japanese word

不意

Pronunciation

Romajifui

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveunexpected

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)

More examples

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.

Core concept

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

Common phrases

  • 不意に始まるfu i ni haji ma ru

    start unexpectedly

  • 不意に現れるfu i ni arawa re ru

    appear suddenly

  • 不意な訪問fu i na hō mon

    unexpected visit

Similar words

意外igai: Describes something that is contrary to a person's expectations.
予想外yosōgai: Describes something that was not expected to happen or be true.
突然totsuzen: Describes an event that happens before people have time to prepare.
想定外sōteigai: Describes a situation or result beyond what had been assumed in advance.

Definition in Japanese

予想しておらず、心構えもないところへ突然起こるさま。yo sō shi te o ra zu kokoro gama e mo na i to ko ro e totsu zen o ko ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 不意 (fui) joins 不 (fu, "not") with 意 (i, "thought or expectation"), giving the sense of something not expected.

Usage tips

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

Other meanings

  • suddenna-adjective

Word lists with this word