凑巧

• Pinyin: còu qiǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 凑 = 冫+ 奏 (coincide); 巧 = 工 + 丂 (skillful, coincidental)

Meaning

By coincidence; as luck would have it; fortunately. Describes something happening by chance, usually in a convenient way.

Can be positive (lucky timing) or neutral (just happened to coincide). Often used at the beginning of a sentence to frame a coincidence. More casual than 恰好 or 恰巧.

Examples

1. 凑巧我手上还有两张多余的票，你们要不要？ By coincidence, I happen to have two extra tickets — do you want them?
2. 我刚想打电话给他，凑巧他就来了。 I was just about to call him when, as luck would have it, he showed up.
3. 凑巧那天下雨，原定的户外活动只好取消。 As it happened, it rained that day, and the planned outdoor activity had to be canceled.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, narrative, coincidence

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 太凑巧了，我们居然坐同一班飞机！(What a coincidence — we're on the same flight!)
• 凑巧我也在想这个问题。(As it happens, I was also thinking about this issue.)

Don't Say

• 我凑巧故意这样做的 (Contradictory — 凑巧 implies chance, 故意 means deliberately)

Origin & History

Compound of 凑 (to come together, coincide) + 巧 (clever, skillful, coincidental). Together meaning things coming together by chance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal