Unawares Meaning in English
word
ˌənəˈwɛɹz
uhn-uh-WAIRZ
ˌʌnəwˈeəz
un-uh-WAIRZ
Definition
If something happens unawares, it happens without you knowing or expecting it, often suddenly.
Usage & Nuances
'Unawares' is a formal or old-fashioned adverb, most often used after verbs like 'catch' ('caught unawares'), or with 'take someone unawares'. It means someone is surprised or unprepared. Rarely used alone to describe oneself ('I was unawares' is uncommon).
Spanish: de improviso - desprevenidoPortuguese (BR): de surpresa - desprevenidoPortuguese (PT): de surpresa - desprevenidoChinese (Simplified): 出其不意地 - 毫无防备地Chinese (Traditional): 出其不意地 - 毫無防備地Hindi: अचानक - अनजाने मेंArabic: على حين غرة - دون علمBengali: অজ্ঞাতে - অজান্তেRussian: врасплох - неожиданноJapanese: 不意に - 知らず知らずのうちにVietnamese: một cách bất ngờ - không hay biếtKorean: 불시에 - 뜻밖에Turkish: ansızın - hazırlıksızUrdu: اچانک - بے خبری میںIndonesian: tanpa disadari - secara tiba-tiba
Example Sentences
He was caught unawares by the question.
basic
The storm arrived unawares during the night.
basic
She entered the room unawares and surprised everyone.
basic
Your comment took me completely unawares.
natural
They found themselves unawares in a new situation.
natural
You have to be careful, or life might catch you unawares.
natural