Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| inesperado | /inespeˈɾado/ |
| imprevisto | /impɾeˈbisto/ |
Both inesperado and imprevisto are used to describe things that were not anticipated, foreseen or expected.
What does it mean word for word?
The word inesperado is composed of the prefix in- (not), the verb esperar (to wait or to hope) and the suffix -ado (the past participle marker), which literally means "not waited for".
Which one should you use?
Inesperado is a general term for anything that was not expected. In contrast, imprevisto emphasizes that something was unforeseen or unplanned, often implying an event or accident that disrupts existing plans.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, use inesperada for feminine nouns. The word imprevisto can also function as a noun meaning "an unforeseen event" or "a mishap", and it follows standard pluralization rules, such as imprevistos for plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/inespeˈɾado/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase tuve un imprevisto is a common social excuse used to explain why someone is late or cannot attend an event.
- The adjective imprevisto is etymologically linked to the English word 'vision', as both derive from the Latin 'videre', meaning 'to see'.
- While 'unexpected' in English is a general adjective, the Spanish word imprevisto is the standard term used in accounting and business to refer specifically to 'contingency funds' set aside for unforeseen costs.
Examples in context
- No ha sido inesperado.It was not unexpected.This sentence shows how to use the negative form of inesperado.Tatoeba #2304922 by marcelostockle, translation #2304001 by Hybrid
- Eso es más bien inesperado.That is rather unexpected.This sentence demonstrates the use of inesperado to describe a degree of unexpectedness.Tatoeba #180553 by cueyayotl, translation #1603 by CK
- Pero sucedió algo inesperado.But something unexpected happened.This sentence illustrates how inesperado describes a sudden occurrence.Tatoeba #1532838 by marcelostockle, translation #14032069 by araneo
- El giro inesperado de los acontecimientos nos dejó sorprendidos.The unexpected turn of events left us surprised.
- Un problema imprevisto nos obligó a cambiar nuestros planes.An unexpected problem forced us to change our plans.
- Su reacción fue realmente sorpresiva, nadie se lo esperaba.His reaction was really unexpected, nobody saw it coming.
- Nunca me habría imaginado que sucedería algo tan inesperado en mi vida.I would have never imagined that something so unexpected would happen in my life.
- Recibí una visita sorpresiva de mi mejor amigo en la ciudad.I received an unexpected visit from my best friend in the city.
- El giro imprevisto en la trama del libro me dejó sin aliento.The unexpected twist in the book's plot left me breathless.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unexpected” translations and entries inesperado, imprevisto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imprevisto, inesperado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
