occasionally; sometimes; once in a while
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadverb
occasionally; sometimes; once in a while
formalDescribes an infrequent occurrence. More formal than '有时'.
Tā他
jīng经
cháng常
xiě写
xiǎo小
shuō说
，
ǒu偶
ěr尔
yě也
xiě写
shī诗
。
He often writes novels, and occasionally writes poetry.
Wǒ我
ǒu偶
ěr尔
huì会
qù去
nà那
jiā家
kā咖
fēi啡
guǎn馆
zuò坐
zuò坐
。
I occasionally go to that cafe to sit for a while.
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Zhè这
zuò座
chéng城
shì市
hěn很
shǎo少
xià下
xuě雪
，
zhǐ只
shì是
ǒu偶
ěr尔
xià下
yī一
chǎng场
。
It rarely snows in this city, just once in a while.
adjective
accidental; casual; incidental
formalAttributive adjective, typically used before a noun. Emphasizes the 'by chance' or 'non-routine' nature of something.
Zhè这
zhǐ只
shì是
ǒu偶
ěr尔
de的
shì事
，
bú不
yòng用
tài太
dān担
xīn心
。
This is just an occasional thing; no need to worry too much.
Tā他
men们
zhī之
jiān间
zhǐ只
yǒu有
ǒu偶
ěr尔
de的
lián联
xì系
。
They only have occasional contact with each other.
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Yī一
cì次
ǒu偶
ěr尔
de的
xiāng相
yù遇
，
gǎi改
biàn变
le了
tā他
men们
de的
mìng命
yùn运
。
A chance encounter changed their destinies.