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偶然
ǒu rán
accidental
这是一次偶然的相遇。
This was an accidental encounter.
neutral
Happening by chance rather than design; unplanned.
偶然发现了一个秘密。
I accidentally discovered a secret.
他们的相遇纯属偶然。
Their meeting was purely accidental.
Used to describe events or discoveries that were not planned or expected.
formal
Occurring or appearing at random intervals; irregular.
偶然事件在实验中很常见。
Random events are common in experiments.
In statistics, refers to events that occur without a predictable pattern.
Pro Tip
Distinguish from '偶尔' (ǒu'ěr)
'偶然' implies randomness or accident, while '偶尔' means 'occasionally' or 'once in a while'. Example: '他偶然遇到了老朋友' (He accidentally met an old friend) vs. '他偶尔去公园' (He occasionally goes to the park).
Gold Rule
Usage in Sentences
偶然 often pairs with verbs like 发现 (discover), 遇到 (encounter), or 发生 (happen) to describe unplanned events. Avoid using it for deliberate actions.
Word Origin
Composed of 偶 (ǒu, 'pair', 'couple') + 然 (rán, 'thus', 'as expected'), originally meaning 'in pairs' or 'simultaneously'. Over time, it evolved to describe unplanned occurrences.
Usage Notes
偶然 emphasizes lack of intention, while 必然 (bìrán) means 'inevitable'. In modern usage, it often carries a neutral or slightly positive connotation (e.g., 'serendipity').
Word Breakdown
偶
pair / couple
root然
thus / as expected
suffix汉英词典