不料(búliào)
Unexpectedly / To One's Surprise
Structure Pattern
Explanation
不料 is a written/literary connector that introduces an outcome the speaker did not anticipate — usually contrasting against the prior clause. It carries a stronger sense of narrative reversal than 没想到. Common in essays, novels, news reports.
Example Sentences
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Wǒ yǐwéi tā huì tóngyì, búliào tā zhíjiē jùjué le.
I thought he would agree — to my surprise, he refused outright.
Běnlái jìhuà zhōumò qù páshān, búliào tūrán xiàqǐ le dàyǔ.
We had planned to hike on the weekend; unexpectedly, a heavy rain hit.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
不料他没来。
Correct Usage
我以为他会来，不料他没来。
不料 needs a setup clause to contrast against — it can't open a sentence in isolation.
Master 不料
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