不 意(ふい)に

ふいに

adverb

unexpectedly; suddenly; out of the blue

time-general

1. unexpectedly; suddenly; out of the blue

Describes something that happens without warning or preparation, catching someone off guard.

不意(ふい)に名前(なまえ)を呼(よ)ばれた。

My name was called out of the blue.

不意(ふい)に昔(むかし)のことを思(おも)い出(だ)した。

I suddenly remembered something from the past.

散歩(さんぽ)中(ちゅう)に不意(ふい)に雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)して、傘(かさ)もなく濡(ぬ)れてしまった。

During my walk it suddenly started raining, and without an umbrella I got soaked.

Usage

The base form 不意(ふい) is also used in the expression 不意(ふい)を突(つ)く (to catch off guard, to take by surprise). 不意(ふい)に as an adverb describes unexpected events that happen to the speaker.

Common collocations

不意(ふい)に現(あらわ)れる (to appear suddenly)
不意(ふい)を突(つ)く (to catch off guard)
不意(ふい)の来客(らいきゃく) (an unexpected visitor)

Similar words

突然(とつぜん) is more emphatic and dramatic
急(きゅう)に emphasizes speed
不意(ふい)に emphasizes the element of surprise

Related Words

Synonym: 突然(とつぜん) (suddenly (emphatic))

Compare: 急(きゅう)に (emphasizes speed)

Compare: 突然(とつぜん)に (suddenly)

Compare: 予期(よき)せず (unexpectedly)

Compare: 抜(ぬ)き打(う)ち (surprise (inspection/test))

Compare: 唐突(とうとつ)に (abruptly)

general

Added 2026.3.14 22:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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