意外(いがい)と

いがいと
adverb
unexpectedly; surprisingly
informaldescriptive
1. unexpectedly; surprisingly
Indicates that something turned out differently from what was expected, often in a positive or neutral way.
この料理(りょうり)、意外(いがい)とおいしいね。
This dish is surprisingly delicious.
彼(かれ)は意外(いがい)と真面目(まじめ)な人(ひと)だった。
He turned out to be surprisingly serious.
難(むずか)しそうに見(み)えたけど、意外(いがい)と簡単(かんたん)だった。
It looked difficult, but it was surprisingly easy.

Forms

意外(いがい) (unexpected) + と (adverb particle)

意外(いがい)に is also used with the same meaning.

Register

Casual to neutral. Common in everyday conversation.

Modifies

Usually modifies adjectives or verb phrases expressing qualities or states.

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 案外(あんがい) (unexpectedly)
Synonym: 思(おも)いがけず (unexpectedly (literary))
Related: 思(おも)いのほか (more than expected)
general
Added 2026.1.19 11:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07151_igaito