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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to an unexpected event with 意外 (yìwài)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    意外 + 发生 + 了

    Explanation

    意外 (yìwài) means "accident," "unexpected event," or "surprise." As a noun it refers to an unforeseen occurrence, and as an adjective it means "unexpected." It is commonly used in the phrase 意外发生了 (yìwài fāshēng le) meaning "an accident happened."

    Examples

    • 路上发生了一起意外,所以我迟到了。

      Lù shàng fāshēng le yī qǐ yìwài, suǒyǐ wǒ chídào le.

      There was an accident on the road, so I was late.

    • 这次见面完全是个意外,我没想到会碰到你。

      Zhè cì jiànmiàn wánquán shì gè yìwài, wǒ méi xiǎngdào huì pèng dào nǐ.

      This meeting was a complete accident, I didn't expect to run into you.

    • 为了避免意外,开车一定要注意安全。

      Wèile bìmiǎn yìwài, kāichē yīdìng yào zhùyì ānquán.

      To avoid accidents, you must pay attention to safety when driving.

    Referring to an unexpected event with 意外 (yìwài) | Chinese Grammar