案外(あんがい)

あんがい
adverb
unexpectedly, surprisingly
descriptive
1. unexpectedly, surprisingly
Contrary to what one expected. Often used when reality differs from expectations in either a positive or negative way.
案外(あんがい)簡単(かんたん)でした。
It was surprisingly easy.
彼(かれ)は案外(あんがい)優(やさ)しい人(ひと)だった。
He turned out to be unexpectedly kind.
案外(あんがい)時間(じかん)がかかりました。
It took longer than expected.

案外(あんがい) 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

Related Words

Synonym: 意外(いがい) (unexpected, surprising)
Synonym: 思(おも)いがけず (unexpectedly (literary))
Compare: 思(おも)いのほか (more than expected)
Compare: 意外(いがい)に (surprisingly, unexpectedly)
general
Added 2026.1.9 20:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01500/01699_angai