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想定外 (そうていがい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
unexpected ; beyond expectations ; unforeseen
Used for events, situations, or results that were not anticipated in plans or assumptions. Often carries a nuance of being outside the scope of what was considered.
想そう
定てい
外がい
だ
。
This result is completely beyond expectations.
Kanji 想 idea, thought, conception 定 determine, fix, establish Similar words 予よ 想そう 外がい 予想外 is more common and neutral for 'unexpected'; 想定外 emphasizes that something was outside the scope of prior assumptions or planning.
意い 外がい 意外 is an adjective/noun for 'surprising' or 'unexpected' in a general sense; 想定外 is more formal and often used in business or technical contexts.
Etymology Compound of 想定 (soutei, 'assumption, hypothesis') + 外 (gai, 'outside'). The word is a relatively modern coinage, likely from business or technical jargon, and is not found in classical Japanese.
