1.
surprise; unannounced; without prior notice
An action carried out suddenly and without advance warning, typically an inspection, test, or check. Almost always used as a modifier with の or in compound form.
抜き打ちテストがあった。
There was a surprise test.
抜き打ちで検査が行われた。
An unannounced inspection was carried out.
保健所が抜き打ちで飲食店を調べることがある。
The health center sometimes inspects restaurants without prior notice.
先生は抜き打ちの小テストが好きだ。
The teacher likes giving pop quizzes.
Originally a kendo term meaning to draw and strike in one motion, 抜き打ち now primarily refers to doing something without advance notice. It is almost always used as a noun modifier: 抜き打ちの〜 or 抜き打ちで.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 抜き打ちテスト: surprise test; pop quiz
- 抜き打ち検査: surprise inspection
- 抜き打ちで調べる: to investigate without notice
- 抜き打ち監査: surprise audit
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 突然: sudden — describes any abrupt event, not specifically planned surprise actions
- 不意に: unexpectedly — focuses on the recipient's lack of awareness
- 予告なし: without advance notice — more neutral and explanatory