1.
unexpectedly, surprisingly
Contrary to what one expected. Often used when reality differs from expectations in either a positive or negative way.
案外簡単でした。
It was surprisingly easy.
彼は案外優しい人だった。
He turned out to be unexpectedly kind.
案外時間がかかりました。
It took longer than expected.
案外 expresses that something turned out differently from expectations.
USAGE:
- Neutral tone, can describe positive or negative surprises
- Often modifies adjectives or verbs directly
- Can stand alone at the beginning of a sentence
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 意外に: unexpectedly (similar, slightly more emphatic)
- 思ったより: more than expected
- 案外: unexpectedly (neutral observation)