unexpected
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unexpected
Happening completely unexpectedly and surprisingly. It is often used for sudden, usually positive events.
Durch einen unverhofften Geldgewinn konnte er seine Schulden bezahlen.
Thanks to an unexpected cash prize, he was able to pay his debts.
The word comes from 'hoffen' (to hope). 'Verhofft' is an old form of 'erhofft' (hoped for). 'Unverhofft' (unexpected) therefore literally means 'not hoped for' and describes something you absolutely did not expect.
Er bekam unverhofft Besuch von einem alten Schulfreund.
He unexpectedly received a visit from an old school friend.
There is a well-known German proverb: 'Unverhofft kommt oft.' It means that unexpected things happen more often than you think.
Ich habe meinen Schlüssel wiedergefunden! Unverhofft kommt oft.
I found my key again! Unexpected things happen more often than you think.
'Unverhofft' (unexpectedly) is very often used as an adverb that describes the whole sentence. It then often appears at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize the surprise.
Unverhofft stand sie plötzlich vor meiner Tür.
Unexpectedly, she suddenly appeared at my door.
surprising
Überraschend and unverhofft both describe something one did not expect. Überraschend emphasizes the surprising effect; unverhofft emphasizes that something happens completely unexpectedly and is often used for a positive development. However, this positive meaning is only a typical tendency.
Nach der früheren Absage bekam Mia unverhofft doch noch eine Zusage.
After the earlier rejection, Mia unexpectedly received an acceptance after all.
Die Zusage nach der früheren Absage war für Mia überraschend.
The acceptance after the earlier rejection was surprising to Mia.
