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偶然

ǒurán

accidental

How common it is

偶然 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.

Pronunciation focus

Say ǒurán slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.

Usage note

偶然表示不是提前安排的、碰巧发生的。

ǒu rán biǎo shì bú shì tí qián ān pái de 、 pèng qiǎo fā shēng de。

偶然 means something happens by chance.

Context note

偶然常用于事件、发现和相遇。

ǒu rán cháng yòng yú shì jiàn 、 fā xiàn hé xiāng yù。

It is often used for events, discoveries, and meetings.

5 examples

我们偶然遇见了老师。
wǒ men ǒu rán yù jiàn le lǎo shī。
We happened to meet the teacher by chance.
这是一个偶然的发现。
zhè shì yí gè ǒu rán de fā xiàn。
This is an accidental discovery.
他偶然知道了这个消息。
tā ǒu rán zhī dào le zhè ge xiāo xī。
He learned this news by chance.
偶然的机会很珍贵。
ǒu rán de jī huì hěn zhēn guì。
Chances that come by accident are precious.
他们偶然走进了那家店。
tā men ǒu rán zǒu jìn le nà jiā diàn。
They happened to walk into that shop.

5 mini stories

放学路上,他们偶然遇见了朋友。
fàng xué lù shang, tā men ǒu rán yù jiàn le péng yǒu。
On the way home from school, they happened to meet a friend.
他偶然发现了一个好地方。
tā ǒu rán fā xiàn le yí gè hǎo dì fāng。
He accidentally discovered a good place.
这次成功有一点偶然。
zhè cì chéng gōng yǒu yì diǎn ǒu rán。
This success had a bit of chance in it.
偶然的相遇让大家很开心。
ǒu rán de xiāng yù ràng dà jiā hěn kāi xīn。
The chance meeting made everyone happy.
她偶然听到了一个好消息。
tā ǒu rán tīng dào le yí gè hǎo xiāo xī。
She happened to hear good news.

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