unexpectedly; to one's surprise
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesconjunction
unexpectedly; to one's surprise
literaryUsed at the beginning of a clause to introduce a surprising or unforeseen event that contradicts previous expectations or plans. Equivalent to 'who would have thought that...' or 'contrary to expectations'.
Běn本
xiǎng想
míng明
rì日
fù赴
jīng京
，
bù不
yì意
dà大
yǔ雨
rú如
zhù注
，
bù不
néng能
qǐ起
chéng程
。
I originally planned to go to the capital tomorrow, but unexpectedly, heavy rain poured down, preventing me from setting off.
Wǒ我
men们
yǐ以
wéi为
huì会
yì议
huì会
shùn顺
lì利
jìn进
xíng行
，
bù不
yì意
fā发
shēng生
le了
jī激
liè烈
de的
zhēng争
lùn论
。
We thought the meeting would proceed smoothly, but unexpectedly, a heated argument broke out.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
píng平
shí时
hěn很
ān安
jìng静
，
bù不
yì意
jīn今
tiān天
zài在
tái台
shàng上
fā发
biǎo表
le了
rú如
cǐ此
kāng慷
kǎi慨
jī激
áng昂
de的
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
。
He is usually very quiet, but to everyone's surprise, he gave such a passionate speech on stage today.