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Contrary to what I thought
Definition
The grammar pattern "Plain form + と思いきや" is used to express surprise at a sudden, opposite development from what was expected. It emphasizes the speaker's surprise and is often used to contrast with their previous thoughts or expectations. This pattern is commonly used in situations where the outcome is unexpected, and the speaker is caught off guard. The emphasis on surprise is a key aspect of this pattern, and it is often used to add a sense of drama or unexpectedness to a sentence.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form | Plain form + と思いきや | 雨が降ったと思いきや、すぐに晴れになった。 |
| Plain form (past tense) | Plain form (past tense) + と思いきや | 雨が降ったと思いきや、昨日はすっかり晴れだった。 |
| Plain form (past negative) | Plain form (past negative) + と思いきや | 雨が降らなかったと思いきや、今日は大雨になった。 |
Examples
ようやく雨が上がったと思いきや、またすぐに激しい雨が降り出した。
yōyaku ame ga agatta to omoukiya, mata sūgi ni hayai ame ga furidashita.
Just when I thought the rain had stopped, heavy rain started again.
ようやく (just when), 雨が上がった (the rain had stopped), 思いきや (contrary to what I thought), またすぐに (but suddenly), 激しい雨が降り出した (heavy rain started again)
合格は間違いないと思いきや、不合格通知が届いて愕然とした。
gōkaku wa machigai nai to omoukiya, fukugōkaku tsūshin ga todokite gakusō shita.
I was sure I had passed, but I received a notification of failure and was shocked.
合格は間違いない (I was sure I had passed), 思いきや (contrary to what I thought), 不合格通知 (notification of failure), 愕然とした (was shocked)
非常に難しい試験だと思いきや、意外とあっさり解けてしまった。
jinjitsuna muzukashii shiken da to omoukiya, igai to assarui tokai shite shimatta.
I thought the exam was extremely difficult, but I surprisingly passed easily.
非常に難しい (extremely difficult), 試験だ (the exam), 思いきや (contrary to what I thought), 意外と (but surprisingly), あっさり (easily), 解けてしまった (passed)
Context
This pattern is used to express surprise at a sudden, opposite development from what was expected. It is often used in situations where the outcome is unexpected, and the speaker is caught off guard. The emphasis on surprise is a key aspect of this pattern, and it is often used to add a sense of drama or unexpectedness to a sentence. This pattern can be used in both formal and informal writing, but it is more commonly used in informal writing.
Watch out
This pattern requires the use of the plain form to emphasize the surprise. Using polite forms can make the sentence sound less dramatic and less surprising.
This pattern is used to express surprise at a sudden, opposite development. If the outcome is predictable, a different pattern should be used to express the expected outcome.
While both patterns are used to express a contrast, 'to omottara' is used to express a contrast between two ideas, whereas this pattern is used to express surprise at a sudden, opposite development.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, be sure to use the plain form and to emphasize the surprise. The sentence should sound dramatic and unexpected. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with 'to omottara' or to use it for predictable outcomes.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Plain form + と思いきや used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
ようやく雨が上がったと思いきや、またすぐに激しい雨が降り出した。
Pattern used: と思いきや
Indicates a sudden reversal of the expectation that the rain had stopped.
合格は間違いないと思いきや、不合格通知が届いて愕然とした。
Pattern used: と思いきや
'To omoikiya' highlights the shock of the unexpected failure.
非常に難しい試験だと思いきや、意外とあっさり解けてしまった。
Pattern used: と思いきや
Highlights the gap between the perceived difficulty and the actual experience.
Interactive
ようやく雨が上がった______、またすぐに激しい雨が降り出した。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.