出人意料

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: chū rén yì liào
• English Translation: Unexpected, surprising, beyond one's expectations
• Idiom Composition: 「出」（To exceed）＋「人」（Person, people）＋「意」（Expectation, anticipation）＋「料」（Expectation, prediction）
• Meaning: Describes something that exceeds people's expectations or happens unexpectedly. It refers to situations involving surprise or unexpectedness and can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「出人意料」 contains the following nuances:

• Unexpected: Describes something that deviates significantly from what was predicted or normally expected.
• Surprise: Accompanied by a feeling of surprise at an unexpected event.
• Unpredictability: Refers to developments or outcomes that defy expectations, whether positive or negative.
• Surprising turn of events: Describes a story or situation progressing in an unforeseen direction.

3. Usage

「出人意料」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing results or situations: Used to objectively describe unexpected results or situations.
  • Example:「这个方案的实施效果出人意料地好，超出了我们的预期。」
    （The implementation effect of this plan was surprisingly good, exceeding our expectations.）
• Describing actions or attitudes: Describes a person's actions or attitude as being contrary to what others expected.
  • Example:「他在比赛中的表现出人意料地出色，赢得了冠军。」
    （His performance in the match was surprisingly outstanding, and he won the championship.）
• Expressing surprise: Used to emphasize surprise at an unexpected event.
  • Example:「他的突然辞职让所有人都感到出人意料，大家都很震惊。」
    （His sudden resignation was unexpected for everyone, and everyone was shocked.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他的成功真是出人意料，之前大家都不看好他。
   （His success was truly unexpected; everyone had underestimated him before.）
2. 这场突如其来的大雨出人意料地打断了我们的计划。
   （This sudden heavy rain unexpectedly interrupted our plans.）
3. 他出人意料地获得了这个奖项，让所有人都大吃一惊。
   （He surprisingly won this award, astonishing everyone.）
4. 她的反应很出人意料，我们都以为她会生气，没想到她却笑了。
   （Her reaction was very surprising; we all thought she would be angry, but she smiled instead.）
5. 这部电影的结局出人意料，给观众留下了深刻的印象。
   （The ending of this movie was unexpected, leaving a deep impression on the audience.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on prediction and planning: In traditional Chinese culture, prediction and planning are highly valued. '出人意料' refers to situations where such predictions or plans fail, and thus can sometimes carry a negative connotation.
• Positive and negative meanings: '出人意料' can be used in both positive and negative senses. Its meaning must be determined by the context.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 出乎意料 (chū hū yì liào): Beyond expectation.
  • 意想不到 (yì xiǎng bú dào): Unimaginable, unexpected.
  • 始料未及 (shǐ liào wèi jí): Unforeseen, beyond one's expectations.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 意料之中 (yì liào zhī zhōng): As expected, within expectations.
  • 不出所料 (bù chū suǒ liào): As expected, just as predicted.

6. Summary

'出人意料' is an idiom that describes unexpected events or outcomes that go beyond one's predictions. Since it can be used in both positive and negative senses, its meaning must be determined by the context. Furthermore, understanding the cultural background of emphasizing prediction and planning in Chinese culture allows for a deeper comprehension of this idiom.