抜(ぬ)き打(う)ち

ぬきうち

noun

surprise (inspection/test); unannounced; sudden

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(ぬ)き打(う)ちテストがあった。

There was a surprise test.

抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちで検査(けんさ)が行(おこな)われた。

An unannounced inspection was carried out.

保健所(ほけんじょ)が抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちで飲食店(いんしょくてん)を調(しら)べることがある。

The health center sometimes inspects restaurants without prior notice.

先生(せんせい)は抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちの小(しょう)テストが好(す)きだ。

The teacher likes giving pop quizzes.

Originally a kendo term meaning to draw and strike in one motion, 抜(ぬ)き打(う)ち now primarily refers to doing something without advance notice. It is almost always used as a noun modifier: 抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちの〜 or 抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちで.

Common collocations

抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちテスト: surprise test; pop quiz
抜(ぬ)き打(う)ち検査(けんさ): surprise inspection
抜(ぬ)き打(う)ちで調(しら)べる: to investigate without notice
抜(ぬ)き打(う)ち監査(かんさ): surprise audit

Similar words

突然(とつぜん): sudden — describes any abrupt event, not specifically planned surprise actions
不意(ふい)に: unexpectedly — focuses on the recipient's lack of awareness
予告(よこく)なし: without advance notice — more neutral and explanatory

Related Words

Compare: 突然(とつぜん) (sudden)

Compare: 不意(ふい)に (unexpectedly)

general

Added 2026.4.29 1:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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