Meaning and Usage
The word '의외' means 'unexpected' or 'surprising.' It is often used to express that something happened contrary to what was anticipated or assumed.
Common Contexts
'의외' is frequently used in everyday conversations to describe surprising outcomes, behaviors, or facts. It can modify nouns or be used adverbially with '로' (의외로) to mean 'surprisingly.'
Collocations and Patterns
- 의외의 + noun: describes an unexpected noun (e.g., 의외의 결과 - unexpected result)
- 의외로 + adjective/verb: means 'surprisingly' (e.g., 의외로 쉽다 - surprisingly easy)
Register and Politeness
'의외' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is common in spoken and written Korean.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '의외' with '우연' (coincidence). Remember, '의외' focuses on unexpectedness or surprise, not chance occurrences.
Use '의외' when you want to highlight that something is not what you expected, often with a nuance of mild surprise or disbelief.