Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 予想外の | yosōgai no |
| 想定外の | sōteigai no |
| 意外な | igai na |
All these terms describe something that was not expected, anticipated or foreseen. They range from describing deviations from a specific prediction to describing things that fall outside of a technical plan or things that are simply surprising to one's intuition.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 予想外の is built from 予想 (prediction or expectation) and 外 (outside). Similarly, 想定外の is composed of 想定 (assumption or supposition) and 外 (outside).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the context of the expectation. 予想外の is used when something deviates from a specific prediction. 想定外の is used in formal, technical or business contexts to describe something that falls outside the scope of a planned scenario or model. 意外な expresses surprise or something that goes against one's intuition or common sense, often carrying a more personal or subjective nuance of 'surprising'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'it was unexpected' using the noun-based form 予想外, you can add the past tense copula だった to the end to get 予想外だった.
How do you pronounce it?
yosōgai no
Did you know?
- In many Japanese business settings, describing a mistake as 想定外 (outside of assumptions) can serve as a polite way to deflect personal blame by framing the error as a systemic failure of a model.
- The word 意外な (igai na) can be used to describe a person's character, implying that their behavior is 'unexpected' or 'unlike them', rather than just a surprising event.
- The term 想定外 became a common buzzword in Japanese news and media following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake to describe the unprecedented scale of the disaster.
Examples in context
- それは想定外の出来事であった。That was an unexpected event.This sentence uses 想定外の.Tatoeba #10540150 by h_aibe, translation #10540147 by CK
- トムにとって、解雇は予想外のショックだった。For Tom, getting fired was an unexpected shock.This sentence uses 予想外の.Tatoeba #866792 by thyc244, translation #682015 by Source_VOA
- 全体的に鈍いくせに、意外なところに鋭いよね。Although dull in almost every aspect, you're sharp in the most unexpected matters.This sentence uses 意外な.Tatoeba #1118823 by marcelostockle, translation #1392275 by marcelostockle
- 台風が予期せぬ速さで接近しています。The typhoon is approaching with unexpected speed.
- 昨日、友達に想定外のことが起こった。Something unexpected happened to my friend yesterday.
- 彼のプレゼントは思いがけないものでした。His gift was something unexpected.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a sudden change in weather.
- 美咲 Misaki今日は予想外の雨だね。Kyou wa yosougai no ame da ne.It's an unexpected rain today, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当だね、傘を持ってきていないよ。Hontou da ne, kasa o motte kite inai yo.True, I didn't bring an umbrella.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮君、大丈夫？Ren-kun, daijoubu?Ren, are you okay?
- 蓮 Ren少し濡れたけど、大丈夫だよ。Sukoshi nureta kedo, daijoubu da yo.I got a little wet, but I'm fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unexpected” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
