と思いきや
(To omoi ki ya)
but contrary to expectation / I thought but.
Connection rules
- ＋Plain-form clause + と思いきや.
- ＋Surprise reversal — expectation contradicted by reality.
- ＋Literary / narrative register.
Examples
1.
簡単と思いきや、意外に難しかった。
Kantan to omoi ki ya, igai ni muzukashika ta.
I thought it would be easy, but it was surprisingly hard.
「but contrary to expectation / I thought but」
2.
晴れると思いきや、雨が降ってきた。
Hareru to omoi ki ya, ame ga fu te ki ta.
I thought it would be sunny, but it started raining.
「but contrary to expectation / I thought but」