Explanation
Expressing unexpected outcomes; 'just when I thought...', 'but...'.
Formation
Sentence + かと思いきや (Verb plain form, i-/na-Adjective, or Noun + だ + かと思いきや)
Detailed explanation
The ～かと思いきや grammar point is used when the outcome turns out different from what was initially assumed or expected. It can be translated as 'just when I thought...' or simply 'but (actually)...'. It often highlights that the speaker’s assumption was proven wrong by subsequent events.
Examples
Ashita wa hareru ka to omoikiya, masaka no ame ga futta.
I thought it would be sunny tomorrow, but unexpectedly it rained.
Kare ga shiken ni ochita ka to omoikiya, goukaku shite ita.
I thought he had failed the test, but he actually passed.
Kono keeki wa oishisou datta ka to omoikiya, zenzen amakunakatta.
I thought this cake would be delicious, but it wasn’t sweet at all.
Ressha ga okureru ka to omoikiya, jikan doori ni touchaku shita.
I thought the train would be late, but it arrived on time.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.