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March 24, 2026
不时(不時)bùshí(bu4shi2)
不时 refers to an occurrence that happens occasionally or from time to time. It suggests a frequency that is not constant but happens enough to be noticeable, often used in both spoken and written Chinese to describe actions that are not regular but still somewhat frequent.
Frequency#11450DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed flexibly; thus, 不时 reflects a casual yet meaningful approach to events that don't occur on a fixed schedule, aligning with the value placed on spontaneity in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 不 (bu) as meaning 'not' and 时 (shi) as 'time'. Imagine a clock that occasionally stops, reminding you that things happen 'not all the time' but 'from time to time'. Visualize a friend visiting you intermittently, sparking joy each time they arrive.
Meanings of 不时
bùshí(bu4shi2)
1from time to time
2now and then
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 不时
不时Simplified
不時Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#11450Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 不时
Podcast: 不时
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AI Study Notes for 不时
Quick Contrast
时常 (shícháng) - use 不时 for occasional occurrences that are noticeable but not regular; 时常 implies a more consistent frequency.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 不 (bu) as meaning 'not' and 时 (shi) as 'time'. Imagine a clock that occasionally stops, reminding you that things happen 'not all the time' but 'from time to time'. Visualize a friend visiting you intermittently, sparking joy each time they arrive.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 不时 with 常常 (chang2 chang2), which means 'often' or 'frequently'. 不时 is more informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. Remember to use it in situations where the frequency is less than constant but more than rare.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 不时 connects with other adverbs of frequency like 偶尔 (ou3 er3) and 时常 (shi2 chang2). Students should focus on understanding its use in various contexts, particularly in more complex sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed flexibly; thus, 不时 reflects a casual yet meaningful approach to events that don't occur on a fixed schedule, aligning with the value placed on spontaneity in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不时 with 常常, mistakenly using it to mean 'often'. For example, saying '我不时去那家餐馆' when they actually mean 'I often go to that restaurant' should be corrected to '我常常去那家餐馆'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不时
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Grammar Patterns of 不时
不时 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Few Englishmen wear frock coats now. They went out years ago.
Cultural Notes for 不时
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed flexibly; thus, 不时 reflects a casual yet meaningful approach to events that don't occur on a fixed schedule, aligning with the value placed on spontaneity in social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不时
You can say '我不时去图书馆' (I go to the library from time to time).
不时 is more informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.
Yes, 不时 can be used in both spoken and written contexts.
