偏偏
piān piān HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他偏偏选择了最困难的方法。
Tā piānpiān xuǎnzé le zuì kùnnán de fāngfǎ.
He deliberately chose the most difficult method.
偏偏今天下雨,我们无法出门。
Piānpiān jīntiān xiàyǔ, wǒmen wúfǎ chūmén.
It just had to rain today, so we can't go out.
她偏偏反对这个合理的建议。
Tā piānpiān fǎnduì zhège hélǐ de jiànyì.
She deliberately opposed this reasonable suggestion.
他偏偏不来。
Tā piānpiān bù lái.
He just won't come.
我偏偏要买。
Wǒ piānpiān yào mǎi.
I deliberately want to buy it.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of '偏偏' as 'pian-pian' (sounds like 'pee-an'), which rhymes with 'defiant'—it describes someone or something acting defiantly against expectations.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written Chinese, in informal to semi-formal contexts. Common in narratives or complaints to highlight an unexpected or illogical outcome, often paired with words like '可是' or '就' to strengthen the contrast.

📖 Grammar Points

Typically placed before a verb or adjective to modify it, often in a clause showing contradiction (e.g., '我提醒了他,他偏偏不听'). It can start a sentence for emphasis ('偏偏今天下雨了').

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects a common expressive style in Chinese to convey resignation or mild exasperation when things don't go as planned, akin to 'of all things...' in English.

🔄 Similar Words

反而 (fǎn'ér) also indicates a contrast to expectations but is more neutral and logical; 偏偏 adds stronger emotional nuance of unwillingness or irony. 明明 (míngmíng) is often used with 偏偏 to set up a contrast (e.g., '明明知道...偏偏...').

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