Japanese word

意外

Pronunciation

Romajiigai

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesurprising

Example

その答えは意外です。so no kota e wa i gai de su

That answer is surprising.

Illustration for 意外 (surprising)

More examples

初めて会った人が意外に親切でした。haji me te a tta hito ga i gai ni shin setsu de shi ta

The person I met for the first time was unexpectedly kind.

Core concept

Marks an event or result that does not match what was expected, often creating a sense of surprise.

Common phrases

  • 意外な展開i gai na ten kai

    unexpected development

  • 意外にも成功するi gai ni mo sei kō su ru

    succeed unexpectedly

  • 意外と多いi gai to ō i

    surprisingly many

Similar words

予想外yosōgai: Not in line with a prediction or prior expectation.
案外angai: Not as expected and often surprising in its degree or result.

Definition in Japanese

思いがけず予想と異なり驚くようなさま。omo i ga ke zu yo sō to koto na ri odoro ku yō na sa ma

Word origin

The word is formed from 意 (i, "meaning" or "intention") and 外 (gai, "outside"), so its parts suggest something beyond the expected course.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 意外と (igai to) often introduces a degree that differs from expectation, as in 意外と簡単 (igai to kantan), meaning that something is unexpectedly easy.

Other meanings

  • unexpectedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 意外性igaiseisurprising qualitynoun

Word lists with this word