ふと

ふと

adverb

suddenly; unexpectedly

1. suddenly; unexpectedly

Something happening or coming to mind without planning or intention.

ふと窓(まど)の外(そと)を見(み)た。

I suddenly looked out the window.

ふと昔(むかし)のことを思(おも)い出(だ)した。

A memory from the past suddenly came to me.

ふと気(き)がつくと、もう夜(よる)だった。

Before I knew it, it was already night.

ふと空(そら)を見上(みあ)げた。

I suddenly looked up at the sky.

ふと疑問(ぎもん)に思(おも)った。

I suddenly wondered about it.

ふと彼女(かのじょ)のことを考(かんが)えた。

I suddenly thought about her.

ふと目(め)を覚(さ)ました。

I suddenly woke up.

2. by chance; accidentally

Something occurring incidentally without deliberate action.

ふと見(み)ると、猫(ねこ)がいた。

When I happened to look, there was a cat.

ふと本屋(ほんや)に立(た)ち寄(よ)った。

I happened to stop by the bookstore.

ふと出会(であ)った人(ひと)だった。

It was someone I met by chance.

ふと describes sudden, unintentional actions or realizations.

Common patterns

ふと見(み)る/ふと見(み)ると (suddenly looking; as I happened to look)
ふと思(おも)う (to suddenly think)
ふと思(おも)い出(だ)す (to suddenly remember)
ふと気(き)がつく (to suddenly notice/realize)

Usage

Implies the action was not planned or deliberate
Often used for moments of reflection or realization
Suggests a brief, fleeting quality

Similar words

突然(とつぜん): suddenly (more dramatic, external events)
急(きゅう)に: suddenly (more abrupt)
たまたま: by chance (for coincidences)

ふと is gentler and more introspective than 突然(とつぜん), often describing internal experiences like thoughts or glances.

Related Words

Compare: 突然(とつぜん) (suddenly (dramatic))

Related: 偶々(たまたま) (by chance)

Compare: 急(きゅう)に (suddenly)

Compare: はっと (with a start)

Compare: 思(おも)いがけず (unexpectedly)

Compare: 何気(なにげ)なく (casually)

core

Added 2026.1.13 12:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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