と思いきや
Thought...but, When...thought that...but, Despite having thought...
Structure
［い］Adjective + （か）+ と思いきや + Phrase［た］
［な］Adjective + (か(1)）+ と思いきや + Phrase［た］
Noun + (か(1)）+ と思いきや + Phrase［た］
(1)（だ）
Explanation
と思いきや is a Japanese phrase that expresses an outcome contrary to what was expected. It is typically translated as 'Just when I thought (A), it turned out that (B)', or 'I thought (A), but to my surprise, (B)'. This expression is formed from the case marking particle と, the stem form of the う-Verb 思う (思い), the classical auxiliary verb き (indicating the past), and the classical adverbial particle や, which functions similarly to か to pose a question. As a result, a more direct translation would be something like, 'I had thought (A), but was it (B)?'.
Regardless of its classical origins, in contemporary Japanese と思いきや functions as a set phrase. Its primary role is to emphasize the speaker's surprise when a situation unfolds in a way that goes against their initial assumption.
と思いきや can be attached to the plain form of verbs, nouns, and adjectives.
- これで試合は終わるかと思いきや、延長戦になった。I thought the game would be over with this, but it went into overtime.
- あのレストランは高いと思いきや、ランチはとても安くて美味しかった。I expected that restaurant to be expensive, but their lunch was actually very cheap and delicious.
- この家具の組み立ては簡単かと思いきや、説明書が分かりにくくて、二時間もかかってしまった。I thought assembling this furniture would be simple, but the instructions were hard to understand and it ended up taking two hours.
- 田中さんは静かな人だと思いきや、実はロックバンドでギターを弾いているそうだ。I thought Tanaka-san was a quiet person, but I heard he actually plays guitar in a rock band.
It is also common to see the particle か placed before と思いきや. Because や originally carried a similar questioning function, adding か simply serves to strengthen the emphasis on the speaker's initial assumption.
Caution
The clause following と思いきや, which reveals the actual outcome, must always be in the past tense. This is because it describes a result that has already occurred or a reality the speaker has just discovered.
- バス停で十分も待ったから、もうすぐバスが来ると思いきや、来ない。Having waited 10 minutes at the bus stop, I thought the bus would come soon, but it isn't coming. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
やっと宿題が全部終わったと思いきや、先生が新しい課題を出した。
Just when I thought I had finally finished all my homework, the teacher assigned a new project.
このレストランは高いと思いきや、案外リーズナブルな値段だった。
I thought this restaurant would be expensive, but the prices were surprisingly reasonable.
店員さんは無愛想と思いきや、話してみるとすごく親切だった。
I thought the store clerk was unfriendly, but when I spoke to him, he turned out to be very kind.
彼は試合に負けて落ち込んでいるかと思いきや、もう次の試合に向けて練習を始めていた。
I thought he would be depressed after losing the match, but he had already started practicing for the next one.
静かになったので赤ちゃんは眠ったかと思いきや、ベッドの中で目をパチパチさせていた。
I thought the baby had fallen asleep because it got quiet, but he was in his crib with his eyes wide open.
これで映画もハッピーエンドと思いきや、最後に衝撃のどんでん返しがあった。
Just when I thought the movie was heading for a happy ending, there was a shocking plot twist at the very end.
あの犬は小さくておとなしそうと思いきや、近づいたら急に吠えられてびっくりした。
I thought that dog looked small and gentle, but to my surprise, it suddenly started barking when I got closer.
セールで安く買えたと思いきや、後日もっと安い値段で売られていてがっかりした。
I thought I had gotten a good deal at the sale, but I was disappointed to find it being sold for even less a few days later.
彼は冗談を言っているのかと思いきや、目は真剣そのものだった。
I thought he must be joking, but his eyes were completely serious.
やっとバスが来たと思いきや、「回送」と表示されていて乗れなかった。
Just when I thought the bus had finally arrived, the sign said 'Out of Service' and I couldn't get on.
犯人はあの男で間違いないと思いきや、実は意外な人物だった。
I was sure that man was the culprit, but it actually turned out to be someone completely unexpected.
これで話は終わりかと思いきや、部長はさらに長々と続けた。
Just when I thought the presentation was over, the department manager went on talking for much longer.