Meanings of 偶然
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Podcast: 偶然
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AI Study Notes for 偶然
意外 (yìwài) - use 偶然 when emphasizing chance occurrences, while 意外 conveys a sense of unexpectedness that may have significant implications.
Learners should be careful not to confuse 偶然 with intentional actions; it specifically denotes randomness. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussions about fate or coincidence. A common collocation is '偶然机会' (ǒurán jīhuì), meaning 'chance opportunity.'
As an HSK Level 5 word, 偶然 connects well with other words expressing uncertainty or randomness, such as 可能 (kěnéng, possible) and 随机 (suíjī, random). Students should focus on using it in various contexts to express accidental situations or events.
Learners often misuse 偶然 by implying intention, such as saying '我偶然决定去旅行' (wǒ ǒurán juédìng qù lǚxíng), which suggests a chance decision rather than a planned one. The correct phrasing would be '我决定偶然去旅行' (wǒ juédìng ǒurán qù lǚxíng) to maintain the sense of randomness.
Pronunciation of 偶然
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Component Characters
How to say incidentally in Chinese
“incidentally” in Chinese is偶然
The term 偶然 (ǒurán) refers to events that happen by chance or incidentally, rather than by intention or design. It is used to describe occurrences that are unexpected or random, often with a sense of serendipity or surprise.
When to use 偶然
Learners should be careful not to confuse 偶然 with intentional actions; it specifically denotes randomness. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussions about fate or coincidence. A common collocation is '偶然机会' (ǒurán jīhuì), meaning 'chance opportunity.'
偶然 or something close to it
意外 (yìwài) - use 偶然 when emphasizing chance occurrences, while 意外 conveys a sense of unexpectedness that may have significant implications.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 偶然 by implying intention, such as saying '我偶然决定去旅行' (wǒ ǒurán juédìng qù lǚxíng), which suggests a chance decision rather than a planned one. The correct phrasing would be '我决定偶然去旅行' (wǒ juédìng ǒurán qù lǚxíng) to maintain the sense of randomness.
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Practice writing 偶然 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 偶然
偶然 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们在村里____碰见了一些老朋友。
We ran across some old friends in the village.
Example Sentences for 偶然 (8)
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Cultural Notes for 偶然
In Western cultures, chance events are often viewed as mere coincidence, whereas in Chinese culture, they may be interpreted as fate or destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions about 偶然
You can say, '我们偶然遇见在咖啡店' (wǒmen ǒurán yùjiàn zài kāfēi diàn), meaning 'We met by chance at the coffee shop.'
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