Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Unexpected" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "unexpected", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
思いもよらない
おもいもよらない (omoimoyoranai)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
意外な
いがいな (igaina)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "unexpected" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 思いもよらない and 意外な.
In Japanese, 思いもよらない (おもいもよらない (omoimoyoranai)) is typically associated with "unexpected, unforeseen, surprising (even beyond expectation)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Stronger than 思いがけず, emphasizing complete surprise or something beyond imagination..
On the other hand, 意外な (いがいな (igaina)) maps to "unexpected, surprising" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "unexpected" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "思いもよらない"
思いもよらない結果になった。
It turned out to be an utterly unexpected result.
Bilingual Context for "意外な"
これはとても意外なですね。
This is very unexpected, surprising, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ 結果になった。" (Meaning: "It turned out to be an utterly unexpected result.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "思いもよらない" fits here because it means "unexpected, unforeseen, surprising (even beyond expectation)" in the context of: "It turned out to be an utterly unexpected result.". "意外な" represents "unexpected, surprising".