想 定 外(そうていがい)

そうていがい

noun, no-adjective

beyond expectations; unforeseen

1. beyond expectations; unforeseen; unexpected

Something that was not anticipated or planned for. Became widely known after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, when officials used this term to describe the scale of the tsunami.

これは想定外(そうていがい)の事態(じたい)だ。

This is an unforeseen situation.

想定外(そうていがい)の出来事(できごと)に対応(たいおう)しなければならない。

We must respond to unforeseen events.

売(う)り上(あ)げが想定外(そうていがい)に伸(の)びて、在庫(ざいこ)が足(た)りなくなった。

Sales grew beyond expectations and we ran out of stock.

Usage

Used as a noun or with の as a modifier. Gained widespread public attention after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, when officials described the magnitude of the tsunami as 想定外(そうていがい). The term was criticized as an excuse for inadequate preparation. Now commonly used in business and daily life.

Common collocations

想定外(そうていがい)の事態(じたい) (unforeseen situation)
想定外(そうていがい)の出来事(できごと) (unexpected event)
想定外(そうていがい)の結果(けっか) (unexpected result)
想定外(そうていがい)の費用(ひよう) (unforeseen costs)

Similar words

想定内(そうていない): within expectations — the opposite, meaning something was anticipated
予想外(よそうがい): unexpected — similar meaning but without the nuance of formal planning
想定(そうてい): assumption, supposition — the base word without the negating 外(がい)

Related Words

Related: 想定(そうてい) (assumption, expectation)

Antonym: 想定内(そうていない) (within expectations)

Compare: 予想外(よそうがい) (unexpected)

Compare: 予想違(よそうちが)い (wrong prediction)

general

Added 2026.3.18 16:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

17500/17518_souteigai