Definition
偶尔 (ǒu ěr) means 'occasionally, once in a while' and emphasizes that something happens infrequently and irregularly. It differs from 有时 (yǒu shí 'sometimes'), which is more neutral about frequency, and from 偶然 (ǒu rán 'accidental, by chance'), which focuses on lack of intention rather than frequency. 不时 and 时而 are more formal/literary equivalents for 'occasionally'.
adverb
occasionallyonce in a while
adjective
occasional
Examples
- 偶尔。Wǒ ǒu ěr huì qù kàn diànyǐng.I occasionally go watch movies.
- 偶尔。Tā ǒu ěr yě huì chídào.He is also late occasionally.
- 偶尔。Zhè zhǐ shì ǒu ěr de tiānqì biànhuà.This is just an occasional weather change.
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