偶尔

• Pinyin: ǒu ěr
• Hanzi breakdown: 偶 = 亻(person) + 禺 (image), by chance/pair; 尔 = simplified from 爾, thus/you

Meaning

Occasionally; sometimes; once in a while. Happening infrequently but not rarely.

Indicates something happens now and then but not regularly. Less frequent than 有时候, more frequent than 很少. Often used for habits, activities, or occurrences that are not part of one's routine.

Examples

1. 我平时不喝酒，但偶尔会喝一点红酒。 I usually don't drink alcohol, but occasionally I'll have a little red wine.
2. 他偶尔会给我打电话，聊聊近况。 He occasionally calls me to chat about how things are going.
3. 即使是最细心的人，偶尔也会犯错。 Even the most careful person will make mistakes occasionally.

Usage Guide

Context: habits, frequency, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我偶尔会去那家餐厅吃饭。(I occasionally eat at that restaurant.)
• 偶尔放松一下也是好的。(It's good to relax once in a while.)

Don't Say

• 我偶尔每天跑步。(Contradictory — 偶尔 means occasionally, not daily; pick one)

Origin & History

偶 (ǒu, by chance/occasional) + 尔 (ěr, thus/so). An occasional occurrence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal