ことに
Extremely, Especially, To my ...
Structure
［い］Adjective + ことに
［な］Adjective + な + ことに
Explanation
By attaching に to 事 after a clause, you can emphasize the speaker's strong feelings about the situation. It often translates to phrases like 'to my surprise/delight/etc.', 'interestingly', or 'especially'. This grammar point is typically used to express an emotional reaction or a subjective observation.
This pattern can be used following verbs, as well as both い-adjectives and な-adjectives.
- 困ったことに、財布を家に忘れてしまった。To my dismay, I realized I had left my wallet at home.
- 嬉しいことに、JLPTに合格しました。To my delight, I passed the JLPT.
- 不思議なことに、誰もその音を聞かなかった。Strangely enough, nobody heard that sound.
In many contexts, '(A) ことに (B)' can be understood as 'What was (A) was that (B)'.
Fun Fact
The expression 幸いなことに is a frequently used set phrase built on this grammar. It is almost always translated as 'fortunately' or 'luckily'.
- 幸いなことに、電車はまだ駅にいた。Luckily, the train was still at the station.
Fun Fact
You may occasionally see ことに placed before a description. When this happens, it is derived from the kanji 殊 and functions as an adverb, similar to 特に, carrying the meaning of 'especially' or 'in particular'.
Examples
残念な事に、楽しみにしていたレストランが休みだった。
To my great disappointment, the restaurant I was looking forward to was closed.
幸運な事に、落とした財布がすぐに見つかった。
By some extreme good fortune, the wallet I dropped was found right away.
悲しい事に、長年飼っていたペットが死んでしまった。
Tragically, the pet I had for many years passed away.
面白い事に、彼と私は誕生日が全く同じだった。
Interestingly enough, he and I have the exact same birthday.
恥ずかしい事に、大勢の人の前で派手に転んでしまった。
To my great embarrassment, I took a huge fall in front of a large crowd.
ありがたい事に、困っている時に友達が助けてくれた。
Thankfully, my friends were there to help me when I was in trouble.
困った事に、会議の大事な資料を家に忘れてきた。
Troublingly, I forgot the important documents for the meeting at home.
悔しい事に、あと一点で試合に負けてしまった。
Frustratingly, we lost the match by just one point.
安心した事に、迷子になった子供が無事に見つかった。
To our great relief, the lost child was found safe.
がっかりした事に、応援していたチームが試合に負けてしまった。
To my disappointment, the team I was rooting for lost the game.
皮肉な事に、消防士の家が火事で全焼した。
Ironically enough, the firefighter's house burned down completely in a fire.
感動した事に、コンサートで大好きな歌手が目の前に現れた。
I was incredibly moved when my favorite singer appeared right in front of me at the concert.