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恰巧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
恰巧qiàqiǎofortunatelyHSK 7, d, rank #11997, Hard
恰巧qiàqiǎounexpectedlyHSK 7, d, rank #11997, Hard
恰巧qiàqiǎoby coincidenceHSK 7, d, rank #11997, Hard
qiàqiǎo(qia4qiao3) T4
  1. 1fortunately
  2. 2unexpectedly
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March 24, 2026
恰巧qiàqiǎo(qia4qiao3)

The term 恰巧 (qia4 qiao3) refers to a situation that occurs by coincidence or unexpectedly, often with a positive connotation. It's frequently used to describe fortunate occurrences that align perfectly with one's needs or circumstances, as in 'what a coincidence!' or 'just so happens that...'.

Frequency#11997DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, coincidences are often viewed as auspicious signs or fate, highlighting the belief in interconnectedness and serendipity in life. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for the roles of luck and timing.

Memory Tip

Imagine a lucky coin (巧) that falls perfectly (恰) into your hand at the right time. The character 恰巧 combines the idea of precision and fortune, making it easier to remember that it signifies a fortunate coincidence.

Meanings of 恰巧

qiàqiǎo(qia4qiao3)
1fortunately
2unexpectedly
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 恰巧

恰巧Simplified
Strokes
Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#11997Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 恰巧

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Podcast: 恰巧

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AI Study Notes for 恰巧

Quick Contrast

恰好 (qiàhǎo) - use 恰巧 when emphasizing the unexpectedness of a coincidence, while 恰好 conveys a sense of just the right timing or suitability.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a lucky coin (巧) that falls perfectly (恰) into your hand at the right time. The character 恰巧 combines the idea of precision and fortune, making it easier to remember that it signifies a fortunate coincidence.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about using 恰巧 in very formal contexts; it is more suited for everyday conversations. Common collocations include 恰巧遇到 (happened to meet) or 恰巧发生 (happened by coincidence). Remember to use the correct tones, as mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 恰巧 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to luck and coincidence. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences to express unexpected scenarios effectively.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, coincidences are often viewed as auspicious signs or fate, highlighting the belief in interconnectedness and serendipity in life. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for the roles of luck and timing.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 恰巧 with similar phrases like 正好 (zheng4 hao3), which may imply a more neutral or even negative situation. For example, saying '我正好遇到他' (I just happened to meet him) is correct, but using 恰巧 here would imply a fortunate twist that may not be present.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 恰巧

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Component Characters

qiàexactly
9 strokes
View full entry
qiǎoopportunely
HSK 45 strokes
View full entry

Write 恰巧

Practice writing 恰巧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 恰巧

恰巧 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他转过目光, ____对着那空无一人的被摧毁的鼠洞楼.

His eye was turned, by chance, towards the empty broken Rat - hole.

Example Sentences for 恰巧 (2)

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1
他转过目光, 恰巧对着那空无一人的被摧毁的鼠洞楼.

tā zhuǎn guò mù guāng, , qià qiǎo duì zháo nà kōng wú yī rén de bèi cuī huǐ de shǔ dòng.

His eye was turned, by chance, towards the empty broken Rat - hole.
2
安尼克斯特拉开门帘,希尔玛恰巧刚醒过来.

ān ní kè sī tè lā kāi mén lián, , xī ěr mǎ qià qiǎo gāng xǐng guò.

Hilma was just waking as Annixter pushed the curtain aside.

Cultural Notes for 恰巧

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, coincidences are often viewed as auspicious signs or fate, highlighting the belief in interconnectedness and serendipity in life. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for the roles of luck and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions about 恰巧

You can say, '我恰巧在那儿' (I just happened to be there) to express a coincidental presence.