Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Unexpectedly" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "unexpectedly", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
案外
あんがい (angai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
期せずして
きせずして (kisezu shite)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "unexpectedly" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 案外 and 期せずして.
In Japanese, 案外 (あんがい (angai)) is typically associated with "unexpectedly, surprisingly" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 思ったより、予想と違ってという意味で使われます。Something is different from what one expected or imagined..
On the other hand, 期せずして (きせずして (kisezu shite)) maps to "unexpectedly, by chance, coincidentally" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An adverbial phrase indicating that something happened without being planned or expected. More formal than 偶然. A literal translation of "unexpectedly" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "案外"
このテストは案外簡単だった。
This test was surprisingly easy.
Bilingual Context for "期せずして"
彼とは期せずして同じ列車に乗り合わせた。
I unexpectedly happened to be on the same train as him.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このテストは ＿＿＿ 簡単だった。" (Meaning: "This test was surprisingly easy.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "案外" fits here because it means "unexpectedly, surprisingly" in the context of: "This test was surprisingly easy.". "期せずして" represents "unexpectedly, by chance, coincidentally".