Meaning and Usage
"意外" primarily means "unexpected" or "accident." It can describe surprising events or outcomes that differ from what was anticipated. It also specifically refers to accidents or mishaps, often involving injury or damage.
Common Collocations
- 意外事故 (yìwài shìgù): accident, often used in news or reports.
- 意外发现 (yìwài fāxiàn): unexpected discovery.
- 意外惊喜 (yìwài jīngxǐ): pleasant surprise.
Usage Notes
When using "意外" to describe events, it often carries a neutral or slightly negative tone, especially when referring to accidents. However, it can also express positive surprise depending on context. It frequently appears before nouns to modify them, but can also be used as an adjective.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse "意外" with "意愿" (wish, desire) or "意图" (intention). "意外" focuses on the unexpected nature of an event rather than a person's thoughts or plans.