Meaning

Primary

Unexpected

Alternative

Surprising

Word Type

adverb, noun, な adjective

Explanation

Something outside your normal idea of how things work will come as unexpected or surprising to you.

Reading

いがい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 意外な事

    something unexpected

    意外な所

    an unexpected place

    意外な事実

    an unexpected truth

Context Sentences

意外にも、父はすぐにさん成してくれました。

Unexpectedly, my dad approved of it right away.

ゆですぎのやわらかいパスタをこのんで食べるのは、カナダの意外な文化でした。

Liking soft pasta that's been cooked too long was an unexpected aspect of Canadian culture.

フグは物凄く走るの速いよ。海ではあまり良いスイマーじゃなかったってことと、大学に入るまで陸上での競技に出たことがなかったってのは、本当に意外だよ。

Fugu is a really fast runner. The surprising thing is, he was never a good swimmer in the sea and never raced on land until he was in college.

Kanji Composition