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synonym Comparative
期せずして
VS
ばったり

Differences Between "期せずして" and "ばったり"

Option A
期せずして
Meaning
unexpectedly, by chance, coincidentally
Reading
きせずして (kisezu shite)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
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.
Option B
ばったり
Meaning
1. unexpectedly, suddenly (often meeting someone); 2. (of something ceasing) suddenly, abruptly
Reading
ばったり (battari)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
駅前で学生時代の友人にばったり会った。
I unexpectedly ran into a friend from my student days in front of the station.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(unexpectedly, by chance, coincidentally)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 期せずして: An adverbial phrase indicating that something happened without being planned or expected. More formal than 偶然 (guuzen). (前もって期待したり計画したりしていなかったのに、偶然に何か出来事が起こる様子を表します。)
- ばったり: An onomatopoeia describing an abrupt, sudden occurrence. Commonly used for unexpectedly encountering someone or for something suddenly stopping.
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