1. not expected or anticipated; surprising
未預料到的；出乎意料的；令人驚訝的
The sudden rainstorm was completely unexpected.
這場突如其來的暴風雨完全出乎意料。
We received an unexpected visit from an old friend.
我們收到了一位老朋友意外的來訪。
Unexpected Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
unexpected
adjective
快速理解
What does "Unexpected" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Unexpected"?
形容某事物或情況出乎意料、沒有預先料到。
- 1
出乎意料的
EN: not expected or anticipated
翻譯: 未預期到的、意料之外的
- 2
突然的
EN: happening or coming without warning
翻譯: 突然發生的、沒有預警的
- 3
令人驚訝的
EN: causing surprise because it is unusual or strange
翻譯: 因不尋常或奇怪而令人驚訝的
小提醒：注意 'unexpected' 是形容詞，用來描述事物，而非描述人的感受。若要表達『我感到很意外』，應說 'I was surprised'，而非 'I was unexpected'。
發音（How to Pronounce "Unexpected" in English）
How to pronounce "Unexpected" in English?"Unexpected" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Unexpected" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy.”
(1 out of 26)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Unexpected"?How does "Unexpected" change by context?
2. happening or coming without warning
突然發生的；毫無預警的
The company announced unexpected layoffs yesterday.
公司昨天宣布了突如其來的裁員。
His unexpected resignation left everyone in shock.
他突如其來的辭職讓所有人都感到震驚。
3. not in accordance with what is usual or predictable
不尋常的；非典型的；難以預測的
The movie took an unexpected turn in the second act.
這部電影在第二幕出現了意想不到的轉折。
She showed unexpected kindness to her competitor.
她對她的競爭對手展現了出人意料的善意。
4. causing surprise because not thought likely
因不太可能發生而令人驚訝的
The team's victory was unexpected given their poor performance earlier in the season.
考慮到他們本賽季初的糟糕表現，這支隊伍的勝利令人意外。
It was an unexpected choice for the lead role.
這是一個令人意外的男主角人選。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Unexpected"?How to make natural sentences with "Unexpected"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| unexpected + noun | 意外的、出乎意料的 + 名詞 | The news brought an **unexpected** change. (這消息帶來了意想不到的改變。) |
| it is unexpected that + clause | ...是出乎意料的 | It was **unexpected** that he arrived so early. (他這麼早到真是出乎意料。) |
| come as an unexpected + noun | 作為一個意外的...而來 | His resignation came as an **unexpected** shock. (他的辭職來得突然，令人震驚。) |
| something is unexpected | 某事是出乎意料的 | The test result was completely **unexpected**. (測驗結果完全出乎意料。) |
| an unexpected turn of events | 事態的意外轉折 | The story took an **unexpected** turn of events. (故事發生了意想不到的轉折。) |
用法說明
How is "Unexpected" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Unexpected"?
unexpected doing vs unexpected to do
- "unexpected doing" 通常用於描述一個已經發生或正在發生的行為或事件是出乎意料的。
- "unexpected to do" 則常用於表達對某人（通常是人）做出某種行為感到意外，或描述某事物（如結果、發展）以某種方式呈現是預料之外的。
- 在描述事件或結果時，兩者有時可互換，但 "unexpected to do" 更強調對未來或潛在可能性的預期落空。 EN: His unexpected resigning shocked the entire company. 翻譯: 他出乎意料地辭職，震驚了整個公司。
EN:He was unexpected to resign so soon.
翻譯:大家沒料到他會這麼快辭職。
EN:The unexpected rising of the river caused severe flooding.
翻譯:河水意外上漲導致了嚴重的水災。
EN:The river was unexpected to rise so rapidly.
翻譯:這條河沒預料到會漲得這麼快。
總結建議
在描述已發生的意外事件時，使用 "unexpected doing" 較為自然；若要表達對某人行為或事物發展的預期落空，則使用 "unexpected to do"。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Unexpected" and similar words?How to choose "Unexpected" vs alternatives?
unexpected vs unforeseen
「unexpected」強調事件本身令人驚訝，而「unforeseen」則側重於事件無法被預見或預測。
unexpected vs surprising
「unexpected」描述未預料到的事實，而「surprising」強調事件引發的驚訝感受。
unexpected vs abrupt
「unexpected」指未預料到，而「abrupt」強調事件發生或結束的突然性與唐突。
口語用法
How is "Unexpected" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Unexpected"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或轉述一個令人驚訝的事件時，常會使用「unexpected」。 EN: So I walk into the office, and the most unexpected thing happens—my whole team is there with a birthday cake. 翻譯: 所以我走進辦公室，然後最意想不到的事情發生了——我的整個團隊都在那裡，還有一個生日蛋糕。
EN:Her reaction was totally unexpected; she just started laughing instead of getting angry.
翻譯:她的反應完全出乎意料；她沒有生氣，反而笑了起來。
語氣強調
常與「totally」、「completely」、「absolutely」等副詞連用，以加強驚訝或出乎意料的程度。 EN: The test results were completely unexpected, in the best possible way. 翻譯: 測驗結果完全出乎意料，而且是往最好的方向發展。
EN:That came from left field—absolutely unexpected!
翻譯:這真是突如其來——完全意想不到！
停頓填充
在組織思緒或描述一連串事件時，可用「the unexpected」或「something unexpected」作為短暫的停頓或概括。 EN: Our trip had it all: beautiful scenery, great food, and, of course, the unexpected. 翻譯: 我們的旅程應有盡有：美麗的風景、美食，當然，還有一些意外驚喜。
EN:Always be prepared for something unexpected when you're traveling with kids.
翻譯:和孩子一起旅行時，總要為一些意想不到的事情做好準備。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業寫作中，建議使用更精確的詞彙，如「unforeseen」、「surprising」、「abrupt」或「unanticipated」，以替代較口語化的「unexpected」，使語氣更為嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Unexpected"?What fixed phrases with "Unexpected" should I remember?
unexpected event
adjective + noun
意外事件
unexpected turn
adjective + noun
意外的轉折
unexpected result
adjective + noun
出乎意料的結果
unexpected guest
adjective + noun
不速之客
unexpected delay
adjective + noun
意外的延誤
unexpectedly good
adverb + adjective
出乎意料地好
come unexpectedly
verb + adverb
突然到來
unexpected expense
adjective + noun
意外開支
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Unexpected"?Which "Unexpected" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×It was an unexpected surprise.
✓It was a surprise.
The word 'surprise' already implies something unexpected, so using 'unexpected' before it is redundant. Use one or the other.
×His reaction was unexpected for me.
✓His reaction was unexpected to me.
The correct preposition to use with 'unexpected' when referring to the person who is surprised is 'to', not 'for'.
×He unexpected arrived.
✓He arrived unexpectedly.
'Unexpected' is an adjective and cannot modify a verb. To modify a verb (e.g., 'arrived'), you must use the adverb form 'unexpectedly'.
×It was unexpected event.
✓It was an unexpected event.
The singular countable noun 'event' requires an article ('a' or 'an'). Since 'unexpected' begins with a vowel sound, use 'an'.
×I was unexpecting the news.
✓I was not expecting the news. / The news was unexpected.
'Unexpecting' is not a standard adjective used to describe a person's state. Use 'not expecting' or describe the thing as 'unexpected'.
×unexcepted
✓unexpected
A common spelling error is confusing the suffix '-ed' (as in 'unexpected') with '-ted' (as in 'excepted'). Remember the correct spelling is 'unexpected'.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Unexpected"?What are tense/participle forms of "Unexpected"?