偶然
ǒu rán HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

我偶然在街上遇到她。
Wǒ ǒurán zài jiē shàng yù dào tā.
I accidentally met her on the street.
这是一个偶然的机会。
Zhè shì yī gè ǒurán de jīhuì.
This is a fortuitous opportunity.
他偶然发现了这个秘密。
Tā ǒurán fāxiàn le zhège mìmì.
He accidentally discovered this secret.
我偶然遇见他。
Wǒ ǒurán yùjiàn tā.
I met him by chance.
她偶然发现钥匙。
Tā ǒurán fāxiàn yàoshi.
She found the key accidentally.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 偶 (idol/puppet - something that moves unpredictably) + 然 (suffix indicating state). Think: 'Like a puppet's movement - unplanned and by chance.'

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. Common when describing unexpected encounters, discoveries, or coincidences. It often modifies verbs to indicate the accidental nature of an action.

📖 Grammar Points

Typically used as an adverb before verbs (偶然 + Verb). Can also function as an adjective (偶然的事情). Often appears in patterns like '是偶然的' to emphasize something was accidental.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects a cultural appreciation for serendipity and fate in Chinese thinking. The concept aligns with traditional ideas about缘分 (predestined relationships) - what appears 'accidental' might be seen as meaningful coincidence.

🔄 Similar Words

Often compared with 偶尔 (occasionally) - 偶然 focuses on chance/unpredictability of a single event, while 偶尔 refers to low frequency of recurring events. Also differs from 意外 (unexpected accident, often negative) as 偶然 is more neutral.

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