不时
Traditional: 不時
bù shí HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他不时地看手表。
Tā bùshí de kàn shǒubiǎo.
He frequently looks at his watch.
窗外不时传来鸟叫声。
Chuāng wài bùshí chuán lái niǎo jiào shēng.
Bird calls come from outside the window from time to time.
她不时地微笑点头。
Tā bùshí de wēixiào diǎntóu.
She smiles and nods frequently.
他不时微笑。
Tā bùshí wēixiào.
He smiles from time to time.
她不时唱歌。
Tā bùshí chànggē.
She sings occasionally.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 不时 as 'not (不) at fixed times (时),' highlighting its meaning of irregular, occasional occurrences. Associate it with spontaneous moments, like '不时 asking questions' during a conversation.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly used in narratives, descriptions, and everyday conversation to depict recurring but irregular actions, such as checking something, asking questions, or experiencing events.

📖 Grammar Points

不时 typically precedes the verb in a sentence, often followed by 地 (de) for emphasis, as in '不时地 + verb.' It can be used in various tenses and is common in descriptive clauses to add detail about intermittent actions.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, using 不时 can convey a sense of ongoing attention or care, such as in relationships where someone checks in 'from time to time.' It reflects values of mindfulness and subtlety in interactions.

🔄 Similar Words

经常 (jīngcháng) means 'often' with more frequency and regularity, while 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) means 'occasionally' with less frequency and more rarity. 不时 falls between them, implying more frequent occurrences than 偶尔 but less predictability than 经常.

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