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March 24, 2026
时而(時而)shí’ér(shi2er2)
时而 (shí ér) is an adverb meaning 'occasionally' or 'from time to time.' It is commonly used to describe actions or events that happen infrequently but not entirely sporadically, often in a context where regularity is implied. This term highlights the intermittent nature of an occurrence.
Frequency#20993DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, making the idea of events happening '时而' significant in storytelling and traditional narratives, where occasional occurrences hold special meaning.
Memory Tip
Think of '时' (shí) as a clock showing time and '而' (ér) as a bridge connecting times together. Imagine a clock that occasionally chimes, signifying moments that happen now and then. This bridge links those rare moments in time.
Meanings of 时而
shí’ér(shi2er2)
1occasionally
2from time to time
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 时而
时而Simplified
時而Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#20993Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 时而
Podcast: 时而
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AI Study Notes for 时而
Quick Contrast
时常 (shí cháng) - use 时而 for actions that happen occasionally and irregularly, while 时常 implies a more frequent occurrence.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '时' (shí) as a clock showing time and '而' (ér) as a bridge connecting times together. Imagine a clock that occasionally chimes, signifying moments that happen now and then. This bridge links those rare moments in time.
Usage Notes
时而 is typically used in written and formal contexts. Avoid confusing it with '有时' (yǒu shí), which means 'sometimes' and implies a more frequent occurrence. It's often collocated with verbs to indicate actions that take place intermittently.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 时而 connects with other adverbs describing frequency, such as '偶尔' (ǒu ěr) and '常常' (cháng cháng). Students should focus on differentiating the nuances between these terms and practicing their use in various sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, making the idea of events happening '时而' significant in storytelling and traditional narratives, where occasional occurrences hold special meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 时而 with 有时, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有时去公园' (I occasionally go to the park) is correct, but using '我时而去公园' can sound overly formal and awkward in casual conversation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 时而
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Grammar Patterns of 时而
时而 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 2 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.
Going to court can be an expensive, time consuming and gut wrenching experience that is best avoided.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
The weather alternates between sunshine and rain.
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Cultural Notes for 时而
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, making the idea of events happening '时而' significant in storytelling and traditional narratives, where occasional occurrences hold special meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions about 时而
You can say, '他时而去旅行' (He travels occasionally) to indicate that his travels are not frequent but happen from time to time.
Yes, 时而 is generally more formal and often found in written Chinese, while 有时 is more casual.
No, 时候 (shí hòu) refers to 'time' or 'moment,' whereas 时而 specifically denotes the frequency of occurrences.
