思(おも)いのほか

おもいのほか
adverb
more than expected
1. more than expected
unexpectedly; contrary to expectations; more than one thought
思(おも)いのほか簡単(かんたん)だった。
It was easier than expected.
試験(しけん)は思(おも)いのほか難(むずか)しかった。
The exam was harder than I thought.
思(おも)いのほか時間(じかん)がかかって遅刻(ちこく)してしまった。
It took longer than expected and I ended up being late.

思(おも)いのほか is an adverb meaning "unexpectedly" or "more than one thought."

COMPOSITION:

  • 思(おも)い: Thought, expectation
  • の: Possessive particle
  • ほか/外(ほか): Outside, beyond
  • Literally: "Outside of (one's) expectation"

VARIANT WRITINGS:

  • 思(おも)いのほか (most common)
  • 思(おも)いの外(ほか) (with kanji)
  • 案外(あんがい) (similar meaning, different word)

USAGE:

  • Describes results that differ from expectations
  • Can be positive (easier than expected) or negative (harder than expected)
  • Modifies adjectives, verbs, or entire situations

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 意外(いがい)に: Unexpectedly (more neutral)
  • 案外(あんがい): Contrary to expectations (interchangeable)
  • 予想(よそう)に反(はん)して: Contrary to prediction (more formal)
  • 思(おも)ったより: More than I thought (more casual)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 思(おも)いのほか + adjective
  • 思(おも)いのほか + verb
  • 思(おも)いのほか早(はや)く (faster than expected)
  • 思(おも)いのほか時間(じかん)がかかる (takes more time than expected)

REGISTER: Neutral to slightly formal. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.

general
Added 2026.1.21 20:36
07500/07860_omoinohoka