突然(とつぜん)に

とつぜんに
adverb
suddenly; all of a sudden
1. suddenly; all of a sudden; without warning
Something happens unexpectedly and without any prior indication. Emphasizes the abruptness of the event.
突然(とつぜん)に雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)した。
It suddenly started raining.
友達(ともだち)が突然(とつぜん)に訪(たず)ねてきた。
A friend suddenly came to visit.
会議(かいぎ)の途中(とちゅう)で突然(とつぜん)に停電(ていでん)になった。
The power suddenly went out in the middle of the meeting.

Can be used with or without the に particle — both 突然(とつぜん) and 突然(とつぜん)に function as adverbs. The form without に is slightly more common in casual speech.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 突然(とつぜん)に現(あらわ)れる: to appear suddenly
  • 突然(とつぜん)に倒(たお)れる: to collapse suddenly
  • 突然(とつぜん)に泣(な)き出(だ)す: to suddenly burst into tears
  • 突然(とつぜん)の訪問(ほうもん): a sudden visit

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 急(きゅう)に: suddenly — similar but often implies a change of state or speed
  • いきなり: suddenly, without warning — more colloquial, emphasizes lack of preamble
  • 不意(ふい)に: unexpectedly — literary, emphasizes catching someone off guard
  • 唐突(とうとつ)に: abruptly — more formal, often about speech or behavior

USAGE:
突然(とつぜん) can also function as a な-adjective modifier: 突然(とつぜん)の知(し)らせ (a sudden notification).

general
Added 2026.4.3 3:15
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