意外

• Pinyin: yì wài
• Hanzi breakdown: 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart), meaning 'thought' or 'intention'; 外 = 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divination), meaning 'outside'

Meaning

Unexpected; an accident or surprise. Describes something unforeseen, or refers to an unfortunate incident.

Functions as both an adjective meaning 'unexpected' and a noun meaning 'accident' or 'unforeseen event'. As an adjective, it can describe both pleasant surprises and unwelcome shocks. As a noun, it often refers to accidents or mishaps, as in 发生意外 (an accident occurred). The context determines whether the connotation is positive or negative.

Examples

1. 这个结果让大家都很意外。 This result was unexpected for everyone.
2. 路上发生了一个小意外，所以我迟到了。 A small accident happened on the way, so I was late.
3. 收到他的礼物，她感到很意外。 She was surprised to receive his gift.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, news, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 真是太意外了！(That was really unexpected!)
• 希望不要再发生意外。(I hope no more accidents happen.)

Don't Say

• 我意外了一个好消息。(Don't use 意外 as a verb — it is an adjective or noun. Say 我意外地听到了一个好消息 or 我收到了一个意外的好消息.)

Origin & History

意 (thought/expectation) + 外 (outside). Literally 'outside of expectations' — something beyond what was anticipated.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal