Chinese word

意想不到

Pronunciation

Pinyinyì xiǎng bù dào

Meaning

  • adjectiveunexpected

Example

这个结果太意想不到了。zhè ge jié guǒ tài yì xiǎng bú dào le

This result is so unexpected.

Illustration for 意想不到 (unexpected)

More examples

这次旅行带来了意想不到的收获。zhè cì lǚ xíng dài lái le yì xiǎng bú dào de shōu huò

This trip brought unexpected rewards.

Core concept

A gap opens between the picture in the mind and what actually happens, creating a noticeable jolt of surprise.

Common phrases

  • 令人意想不到lìng rén yì xiǎng bú dào

    unexpected

  • 意想不到的结果yì xiǎng bú dào de jié guǒ

    unexpected result

  • 意想不到的惊喜yì xiǎng bú dào de jīng xǐ

    unexpected surprise

Similar words

意外yì wài: Unexpected and surprising because an event or result was not anticipated.
出人意料chū rén yì liào: Surprising because it goes beyond what people generally expect.
出乎意料chū hū yì liào: Surprising because the result differs from what was expected.
不可思议bù kě sī yì: So extraordinary that ordinary knowledge or reasoning cannot easily explain it.

Definition in Chinese

用来形容某事出乎意料、超出人的预期，常带有惊讶的感情色彩。yòng lái xíng róng mǒu shì chū hū yì liào chāo chū rén de yù qī cháng dài yǒu jīng yà de gǎn qíng sè cǎi

Word origin

意想 (yìxiǎng, "mental expectation") + 不到 (bùdào, "not reach") portrays an imagined outcome that does not reach reality.

Usage tips

  • English often uses "unexpected" for both neutral and startling cases, while this Chinese adjective commonly foregrounds the speaker's surprise, making it natural in lively conversation.

Other meanings

  • surprisingadjective

Opposites

  • 意料之中yì liào zhī zhōngexpectedadjective
  • 可预见kě yù jiànpredictableadjective

Word lists with this word