意外(いがい)に

Expresses that something differs from the speaker's prior assumption or common expectation. It is conversational and commonly used in everyday speech.

Common collocations

• 意外(いがい)に多(おお)い: surprisingly many
• 意外(いがい)に少(すく)ない: surprisingly few
• 意外(いがい)に難(むずか)しい: surprisingly difficult
• 意外(いがい)に近(ちか)い: surprisingly close

Similar words

• 案外(あんがい): unexpectedly — very close in meaning but slightly more colloquial; often implies a positive surprise
• 思(おも)いのほか: more than expected — emphasizes exceeding expectations
• 予想外(よそうがい)に: contrary to prediction — more formal, often used in writing

Usage

意外(いがい)に can also appear as 意外(いがい)と in casual speech, with essentially the same meaning.