Korean word

의외

Pronunciation

Romanizationuioe

Meaning

  • noununexpected

Example

그 소식이 의외였다.keu so si gi ui oe yeot tta

The news was unexpected.

Illustration for 의외 (unexpected)

More examples

그는 의외의 표정을 지었다.keu neun ui oe ui pyo jeong eul chi eot tta

He wore an unexpected expression.

Core concept

Reality steps outside what someone had imagined, creating a sense of surprise or doubt.

Common phrases

  • 의외의 표정ui oe ui pyo jeong

    unexpected expression

  • 의외의 소식ui oe ui so sik

    unexpected news

Similar words

뜻밖tteutppak: An event or circumstance that happens outside what was expected.
놀라움nollaum: A feeling that arises when something suddenly differs from what was expected.
예상외yesangoe: A result or fact that does not match a prediction or expectation.

Definition in Korean

예상과 달라서 놀랍거나 의아한 느낌을 불러일으키는 상태나 사태를 이르는 명사.ye sang gwa tal la seo nol lap kkeo na ui a han neu kki meul pul leo i reu ki neun sang tae na sa tae reul i reu neun myeong sa

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean components refer to an expectation and being outside it, which directly explains the word's basic image.

Usage tips

  • The word can describe a pleasant surprise as well as an unsettling mismatch, so its emotional tone comes from the surrounding context.

Opposites

  • 평범함pyeongbeomhamordinarinessnoun
  • 당연함tangyeonhamexpectednessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word