不料

bù liào

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Conjunction Rare

Definitions

1. unexpectedly
2. to one's surprise

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 意外 yì wài 意外 yì wài unexpected 意外 is a noun/adjective meaning 'unexpected', often used in phrases like 意外的事 (an unexpected event).: unexpected

Synonyms

2 items

• 竟然 jìng rán 竟然 jìng rán unexpectedly 不料 and 竟然 both express unexpectedness, but 不料 is typically used in written narrative and 竟然 is more common in spoken Chinese.: unexpectedly
• 居然 jū rán 居然 jū rán unexpectedly 居然 also conveys surprise but often carries a tone of disbelief or irony, whereas 不料 is neutral.: unexpectedly

Usage notes

Collocations

Used as a conjunction at the start of a clause, often following a statement of intention or assumption, to introduce a sudden contrary event.

Common mistakes

Unlike 但是 (but), 不料 cannot be used to contrast clauses; it must indicate an unexpected outcome that goes against prior expectation.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我本来想去公园散步， 不料 突然下起了大雨。

I originally wanted to go for a walk in the park, but unexpectedly it suddenly rained heavily.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 不料

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 料 料 liào: material