contrary to one's expectations; unexpected; to one's surprise
他这次比赛的成绩出人意料，竟然拿了第一名。
His performance in this competition was unexpected; he actually won first place.
Era:
Early Modern
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
Aunt Xue, concerned that Lin Daiyu might feel lonely, went to visit her at Xiaoxiang Hall, accompanied by Baochai.
They chatted with Daiyu about the saying 'a marriage destined for a thousand li is tied by a single thread' and the legend of the Matchmaker God.
Aunt Xue remarked, 'Such matters often turn out to be completely unexpected. Even if both parents and the individuals involved are willing, or if they have spent years together believing their union is certain, if the Matchmaker God does not bind them with a red thread, they will never truly be together.'
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