Meaning and Usage
뜻밖 is a noun used to describe something unexpected or surprising. It often appears in contexts where an event or situation occurs that was not anticipated by the speaker or others.
Common Collocations
- 뜻밖의 손님 (unexpected guest): Used when someone arrives without prior notice.
- 뜻밖의 소식 (unexpected news): Refers to surprising information.
- 뜻밖에도 (unexpectedly, even): An adverbial form used to emphasize surprise.
Register and Nuance
뜻밖 is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It conveys a sense of surprise but is generally positive or neutral rather than negative.
Usage Tips
When using 뜻밖, it is common to pair it with nouns like 손님 (guest), 소식 (news), or 사건 (event) to specify what was unexpected. Avoid confusing 뜻밖 with similar words like 갑작스러운, which emphasizes suddenness rather than unexpectedness.
Example Contexts
- A friend unexpectedly visiting your home.
- Receiving surprising but pleasant news.
- An unforeseen event occurring during a meeting.