ことに

ことに
adverb
especially, particularly; ironically
descriptive
1. especially, particularly
Emphasizes that something is true to a greater degree than usual.
ことに冬(ふゆ)は寒(さむ)い。
It's especially cold in winter.
2. ironically, as luck would have it
Introduces an ironic or unexpected situation (often as 〜なことに).
皮肉(ひにく)なことに、医者(いしゃ)が病気(びょうき)になった。
Ironically, the doctor fell ill.
残念(ざんねん)なことに、雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)した。
Unfortunately, it started to rain.
幸(さいわ)いなことに、誰(だれ)も怪我(けが)をしなかった。
Fortunately, no one was injured.

Functions

1. Especially, particularly (like 特(とく)に, but more written): ことに冬(ふゆ)は寒(さむ)い
2. 〜ことに after an adjective, or a verb in the た-form, that expresses a feeling; it opens the sentence with the speaker's reaction: 残念(ざんねん)なことに (unfortunately), 嬉(うれ)しいことに (happily), 驚(おどろ)いたことに (surprisingly)

Common patterns

Writing

When written in kanji, 殊(こと)に, it means "especially" (sense 1).

general
Added 2026.2.3 10:43 · Revised 2026.10.3 22:18
09500/09581_kotoni