かと思いきや
N1 GRAMMAR 0s study 📖 0 today
ka to omoikiya
contrary to expectations
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🃏 Flashcard
かと思いきや
ka to omoikiya
Tap to reveal usage
contrary to expectations
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading ka to omoikiya
Post ID 51234
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

contrary to expectations

🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
かと思いきや
📚 How to Master This Pattern
🔊
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat かと思いきや three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
🃏
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
✍️
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using かと思いきや. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern かと思いきや mean?
Contrary to expectations
What JLPT level is かと思いきや?
JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. To pass JLPT N1 you need to recognise and use this pattern correctly in reading and listening sections.
How do you use かと思いきや in a sentence?
Attach かと思いきや (ka to omoikiya) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is かと思いきや formal or casual Japanese?
かと思いきや is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember かと思いきや long-term?
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review at 10 minutes, 1 day and 3 days (spaced repetition). Writing two original sentences at each review session is the fastest way to reach production-level mastery.