意外 yìwài unexpected
unexpected; accident; mishap
How to remember 意外: 意 idea + 外 outside = unexpected.
Characters
How it is used
- Unexpected; also an accident/mishap - 感到很意外 (gǎndào hěn yìwài) feel surprised; 出了意外 (chū le yìwài) an accident happened.
- Adjective 'unexpected' and noun 'accident/incident'. 意料之外 (yìliào zhī wài) is the fuller phrase for 'beyond expectation'.
- As 'accident', it's a mishap/casualty event; a traffic crash is 交通意外/事故. Contrast 惊喜 (a good surprise) - 意外 is neutral-to-bad.
Example sentences
- 这真是很意外。 Zhè zhēnshì hěn yìwài.That is rather unexpected.
- 他在工作中出了意外。 Tā zài gōngzuò zhōngchū le yìwài.He had an accident at work.