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B1 adverb 10 min de lecture

우연히

uyeonhi

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 우연히 en 30 secondes

Explication 우연히 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 우연히 (uyeon-hi) simply as 'not on purpose' or 'by chance.' It is used when you do something that you didn't plan to do. For example, if you go to the park and see your teacher there, you didn't plan to see them. You can say, 'I saw my teacher uyeon-hi.' In Korean, this word helps you explain that an event was a surprise. Beginners often use it with basic verbs like 'to meet' (만나다) or 'to see' (보다). It is a very useful word because it helps you tell simple stories about your day. Even though it has a more complex meaning in higher levels, at A1, just remember it as the word for 'by chance.' Use it when you want to say something happened without you planning it. It is always an adverb, so you put it before the action word. For example: '우연히 만났어요' (Met by chance). This is one of the first 'advanced-sounding' adverbs beginners learn, and it makes your Korean sound much more natural right away.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 우연히 to describe slightly more complex situations. You might use it to explain how you found an interesting book in the library or how you heard a piece of news. At this level, you are learning to connect sentences. You can use '우연히' with the '-다가' ending (which means 'while doing something'). For example, '길을 걷다가 우연히 친구를 만났어요' (While walking, I met a friend by chance). This structure is very common in Korean. You should also distinguish '우연히' from '실수로' (by mistake). Remember, '우연히' is about chance, while '실수로' is about making a mistake. If you find a 1,000 won bill on the ground, that is '우연히'. If you drop your ice cream, that is '실수로'. Learning this distinction will help you avoid confusion when talking to native speakers. You can also use it to talk about your hobbies, like '우연히 이 노래를 들었는데 너무 좋았어요' (I happened to hear this song by chance and liked it very much).

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At the B1 level, 우연히 becomes a key tool for narrative storytelling. You are now expected to use it in both spoken and written Korean to describe unplanned events with more detail. You will often see this word in reading passages about 'accidental discoveries' in science or history, which are common topics in the TOPIK I exam. You should also become familiar with the auxiliary verb pattern -게 되다 combined with '우연히'. For example, '우연히 알게 되었어요' (I happened to find out/get to know by chance). This adds a layer of 'becoming' or 'happening' to the verb, which is a very natural way to speak. At B1, you should also understand the noun form 우연 (coincidence) and the phrase 우연의 일치 (a coincidence). For instance, '그것은 단순한 우연의 일치예요' (That is a simple coincidence). This allows you to discuss the nature of events rather than just describing the actions. You will also encounter '우연히' in more formal settings, such as news reports or documentaries, where it is used to describe findings or arrests made by chance.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 우연히 in academic and professional contexts. This word is frequently used in TOEFL-style listening narratives where a speaker describes a historical event or a scientific breakthrough. You should understand the nuance of 'serendipity' that '우연히' can carry. In writing, you can use it to contrast planned actions with unplanned outcomes. For example, '의도적으로 시작한 실험은 아니었지만, 우연히 중요한 결과를 얻었다' (It wasn't an intentionally started experiment, but a significant result was obtained by chance). You should also be able to distinguish '우연히' from more specific adverbs like '공교롭게도' (coincidentally/unluckily) and '마침' (just then). At this level, your vocabulary should be precise. You might also explore the philosophical side of the word in literature, where '우연' is often contrasted with '필연' (necessity/fate). Understanding this binary—chance versus destiny—is essential for analyzing Korean literature or high-level news editorials. You should be comfortable using '우연히' in complex sentences with multiple clauses.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to master the subtle stylistic choices involving 우연히. You should understand its role in creating 'serendipity' in academic discourse. In scientific writing, '우연히' is often used to describe the 'Eureka' moments that lead to innovation. You should also be able to use the word in abstract discussions about probability and statistics. Furthermore, you should be aware of the Hanja roots (偶然) and how they relate to other words like 배우 (actor - originally meaning 'pair') or 연유 (reason). This deep etymological knowledge helps you understand the 'flavor' of the word in classical literature. In professional settings, you might use '우연히' to describe a networking opportunity: '학회에서 우연히 그 교수님을 뵙게 되어 공동 연구를 제안받았습니다' (I happened to meet the professor at the conference by chance and was offered a joint research project). At C1, you should also be able to use the word ironically or for rhetorical effect, questioning whether an event was truly 'by chance' or part of a larger pattern.

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At the C2 level, your command of 우연히 should be indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You can use it to discuss complex philosophical concepts such as 'existential contingency' or 'historical accidentalism.' You should be able to critique texts that use '우연' as a plot device (deus ex machina) in literature or film. In high-level debates, you might use '우연히' to challenge the causality of an opponent's argument: '그 현상이 우연히 발생했다고 단정 짓기에는 통계적 유의미성이 너무 큽니다' (To conclude that the phenomenon occurred by chance, the statistical significance is too great). You should also be familiar with archaic or highly formal variations and how '우연히' interacts with advanced grammar structures like '-기 마련이다' (is bound to) or '-ㄹ 리가 없다' (cannot be). Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its weight in Korean social dynamics, where 'chance' encounters are often celebrated or analyzed for deeper meaning. You are a master of using this word to add nuance, irony, or precision to any discourse, from a legal brief to a poetic essay.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

우연히 en 30 secondes

우연히 means 'by chance' or 'accidentally' and is used for unplanned events in daily life.
It is a neutral or positive word, unlike '실수로' which implies a negative mistake or error.
Commonly paired with verbs like 만나다 (meet), 발견하다 (discover), and 듣다 (hear).
Essential for intermediate learners to describe serendipitous moments and accidental scientific discoveries.

The Korean word 우연히 (uyeon-hi) is an adverb that translates to 'by chance,' 'accidentally,' 'incidentally,' or 'unexpectedly.' At its core, it describes an event that occurs without a specific plan, intention, or obvious cause. In the context of Korean linguistics, it is derived from the noun 우연 (偶然), which combines the Hanja characters '우' (偶), meaning a pair or an unexpected encounter, and '연' (然), meaning 'to be like that' or 'so.' Together, they form the concept of something happening as if by a strange alignment of circumstances. This word is indispensable for describing the serendipitous moments of life, from bumping into an old friend on a crowded street to discovering a hidden gem of a restaurant while lost in a new city.

Semantic Nuance: Unlike the English word 'accidentally,' which can sometimes imply a mistake or a negative outcome (like dropping a glass), 우연히 is generally neutral or positive. It focuses on the lack of prior planning rather than the lack of care.

길을 걷다가 우연히 옛 친구를 만났어요. (While walking down the street, I met an old friend by chance.)

In Korean culture, the concept of coincidence is often tied to the idea of 인연 (in-yeon) or fate. While 우연히 describes the physical act of an unplanned meeting, many Koreans believe that these 'coincidences' are actually small threads of destiny. Therefore, using this word often carries a slight emotional weight of surprise and appreciation for the unexpected turns of life. It is a high-frequency word used in daily conversation, literature, and academic writing. In academic contexts, especially in history or science, it is used to describe accidental discoveries, such as the discovery of penicillin or the accidental finding of ancient ruins during construction.

Register: It is appropriate for all levels of formality. Whether you are speaking to a child or writing a formal report, 우연히 remains the standard term for 'by chance.'

과학자들은 우연히 새로운 행성을 발견했습니다. (Scientists discovered a new planet by chance.)

Grammatical Placement: As an adverb, it typically appears before the verb it modifies, but because Korean word order is flexible, it can also appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.

우연히 그 소식을 듣게 되었습니다. (I happened to hear that news by chance.)

어제 서점에서 우연히 그 책을 찾았어요. (I found that book by chance in the bookstore yesterday.)

Understanding '우연히' is a bridge to understanding how Koreans perceive causality. It isn't just about randomness; it is about the unexpected intersections of life's many paths. In your journey to master Korean, using '우연히' correctly will make your storytelling sound much more natural and expressive, allowing you to convey the magic of unplanned moments.

Using 우연히 in a sentence is relatively straightforward because it functions as a standard adverb. However, to sound like a native speaker, you must pay attention to the verbs it frequently pairs with and the context of the sentence. In Korean, adverbs are quite mobile, but placing '우연히' immediately before the verb phrase is the most common and natural-sounding structure.

Common Verb Pairings: 우연히 is often used with verbs of meeting (만나다, 마주치다), discovering (발견하다, 찾다), hearing (듣다), or seeing (보다). It is also frequently used with the auxiliary verb structure '-게 되다', which indicates that something happened as a result of external circumstances rather than direct will.

그녀를 백화점에서 우연히 마주쳤어요. (I ran into her by chance at the department store.)

When you use '우연히' with '-게 되다', it emphasizes the 'happened to' aspect of the action. For example, '우연히 알게 되었어요' means 'I happened to find out by chance.' This is a very common way to explain how you acquired information without looking for it.

그 소문을 우연히 듣게 되었어요. (I happened to hear that rumor by chance.)

In more formal or narrative settings, '우연히' can be used to set the stage for a story. It creates a sense of intrigue. For instance, in a history lecture, a speaker might say: '우연히 발견된 이 유물은...' (This artifact, which was discovered by chance...).

Sentence Structure Variations: 1. [Subject] + [Object] + 우연히 + [Verb] 2. 우연히 + [Subject] + [Object] + [Verb] 3. [Subject] + 우연히 + [Object] + [Verb]

이건 우연히 일어난 일이 아니에요. (This is not something that happened by chance.)

In this example, '우연히' is used to deny randomness, implying there was a plan or a reason behind the event. This is a common rhetorical device in Korean dramas or mystery novels.

Social Context: When meeting someone unexpectedly, it is polite to say '어머, 여기서 우연히 뵙네요!' (Oh, I'm meeting you here by chance!), which acknowledges the pleasant surprise of the encounter.

우리는 우연히 같은 옷을 입고 왔어요. (We happened to come wearing the same clothes by chance.)

잡지를 보다가 우연히 제 사진을 봤어요. (While looking at a magazine, I saw my photo by chance.)

By practicing these patterns, you will be able to describe life's little surprises with the same ease as a native speaker. Remember that '우연히' is about the *how*—it happened without a map, without a schedule, and without a plan.

The word 우연히 is ubiquitous in Korean media and daily life. If you are a fan of Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you will hear this word in almost every episode. The entire plot of many romantic dramas hinges on a '우연한 만남' (chance encounter). Characters often meet '우연히' at a bus stop, in the rain, or at a convenience store, leading to a fateful relationship. In these contexts, '우연히' is the catalyst for the story.

In Literature and Song Lyrics: Korean ballads frequently use '우연히' to describe the bittersweet feeling of running into an ex-lover. For example, a lyric might say, '우연히 너를 봤어' (I saw you by chance), conveying the shock and lingering emotions of that unplanned moment.

드라마에서 주인공들이 우연히 다시 만나는 장면이 많아요. (There are many scenes in dramas where the main characters meet again by chance.)

In the world of TOEFL or academic Korean (TOPIK), '우연히' appears in scientific and historical passages. You might read about how the ruins of Pompeii were discovered '우연히' by a farmer digging a well, or how a specific chemical reaction was observed '우연히' in a laboratory. These contexts require a more objective tone, but the word remains the same.

News and Media: News anchors use it when reporting on unexpected events. '경찰은 순찰 중 우연히 범인을 검거했습니다' (The police arrested the criminal by chance while on patrol).

그는 우연히 복권에 당첨된 사람의 이야기를 들려주었다. (He told the story of a person who won the lottery by chance.)

In everyday conversation, friends use it to share small updates. '어제 우연히 그 맛집을 찾았는데 진짜 맛있더라!' (I found that famous restaurant by chance yesterday, and it was really delicious!). It adds a layer of 'discovery' to the conversation, making the speaker sound more engaged with their environment.

Educational Contexts: Teachers use '우연히' to explain probability or historical accidents. It is a key vocabulary word for students moving from intermediate to advanced levels because it allows for more complex narrative descriptions.

이 모든 것이 우연히 일어났다고 믿기 어렵습니다. (It is hard to believe that all of this happened by chance.)

길에서 우연히 주운 지갑을 경찰서에 가져다주었습니다. (I took the wallet I found by chance on the street to the police station.)

Whether you are watching a movie, reading a textbook, or chatting with a neighbor, '우연히' is the word that captures the essence of the unplanned and the unexpected.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using 우연히 is confusing it with other adverbs that have similar English translations but different Korean nuances. Specifically, learners often struggle to distinguish '우연히' from '실수로' (by mistake) and '갑자기' (suddenly).

Mistake 1: Using '우연히' for Negligent Acts: If you break a vase or step on someone's foot, you should use '실수로' (silsu-ro), not '우연히'. While both might be translated as 'accidentally' in English, '실수로' implies a mistake or lack of focus, whereas '우연히' implies a lack of planning. Saying '우연히 컵을 깼어요' sounds like the cup breaking was a cosmic coincidence rather than your fault.

Wrong: 우연히 비밀을 말해버렸어요. (Incorrect if you meant you made a slip of the tongue.) Right: 실수로 비밀을 말해버렸어요. (I told the secret by mistake.)

Mistake 2: Confusing '우연히' with '갑자기': Learners often use '우연히' when they mean 'suddenly' (갑자기). '우연히' focuses on the *cause* (or lack thereof), while '갑자기' focuses on the *speed* or *timing* of the event. If a dog runs into the road, it happens '갑자기' (suddenly), even if it was also '우연히' (by chance).

비가 갑자기 내리기 시작했어요. (It suddenly started raining - correct.) 비가 우연히 내리기 시작했어요. (It started raining by chance - sounds very strange in Korean.)

Mistake 3: Overusing '우연히' for 'Maybe': In English, we sometimes say 'If you happen to see him...' In Korean, this 'happen to' is often better translated using '혹시' (hok-si) or '만약' (man-yak) rather than '우연히'. While '혹시 우연히 만나면' (If you happen to meet him by chance) is possible, using '우연히' alone as a conditional marker is incorrect.

혹시 그를 보시면 안부 전해 주세요. (If you happen to see him, please give him my regards.)

Mistake 4: Spelling and Pronunciation: Some learners spell it as '우연이'. While pronounced similarly [우여니] due to liaison, the correct spelling must end in '히'. This is a common error even among young native speakers in text messages, but it is grammatically incorrect.

Correct: 우연히 Incorrect: 우연이

By avoiding these pitfalls, you will ensure that your use of '우연히' is precise, culturally appropriate, and grammatically sound.

To truly enrich your Korean vocabulary, you should understand how 우연히 relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each word has a slightly different flavor.

뜻밖에 (tteut-bak-ke): This literally means 'outside of one's thoughts' or 'unexpectedly.' While 우연히 focuses on the lack of a plan, 뜻밖에 focuses on the surprise felt by the person. It is often used when an outcome is different from what was anticipated.

뜻밖에 좋은 소식을 들었어요. (I heard good news unexpectedly.)

어쩌다가 (eo-jjeo-da-ga): This is a more colloquial version of 'by chance' or 'somehow.' It is frequently used when explaining how a situation came to be, often with a hint of 'I don't really know how it happened, but...'

어쩌다가 여기까지 오게 됐니? (How did you happen to come all the way here?)

공교롭게도 (gong-gyo-rop-ge-do): This is a very useful word that means 'coincidentally' but usually with a nuance of irony or unfortunate timing. If you go to a shop and it's closed exactly on the day you visited, that is '공교롭게도'.

공교롭게도 그날은 휴무였어요. (Coincidentally/Unluckily, that day was a day off.)

마침 (ma-chim): This means 'just then' or 'as it happens.' It is used when a coincidence is very convenient. For example, if you were just thinking of calling someone and they call you, you would say '마침 전화하려고 했는데!' (I was just about to call you!).

마침 비가 그쳤어요. (Just then, the rain stopped.)

길에서 우연히 만난 친구가 마침 같은 방향으로 가고 있었어요. (The friend I met by chance on the street happened to be going in the same direction.)

This last example shows how '우연히' and '마침' can work together to describe a series of unplanned but fortuitous events. Understanding these subtle differences will allow you to choose the exact word that fits your emotional state and the context of the story you are telling.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character '우' (偶) is also used in the word '배우' (actor). In ancient times, actors were seen as people who 'doubled' or 'paired' as someone else, which is why they share the same root character as 'coincidence.'

Guide de prononciation

UK u.jʌn.hi

US u.jʌn.hi

In Korean, syllables generally have equal length and stress, but a slight emphasis may be placed on the first syllable '우'.

Rime avec

당연히 (dang-yeon-hi - naturally) 여전히 (yeo-jeon-hi - still) 천천히 (cheon-cheon-hi - slowly) 거뜬히 (geot-tteun-hi - easily) 조용히 (jo-yong-hi - quietly) 나란히 (na-ran-hi - side by side) 꼼꼼히 (kkom-kkom-hi - meticulously) 급히 (geup-hi - hurriedly)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'yeon' as 'yee-on' (it should be one gliding syllable).
Dropping the 'h' sound entirely (while it softens, it shouldn't disappear in formal speech).
Confusing the spelling with '우연이'.
Making the 'u' sound too short like 'uh'.
Over-emphasizing the 'hi' at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common in all types of texts, making it easy to recognize once learned.

Écriture 3/5

Learners must remember to use '히' instead of '이' and place it correctly in the sentence.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, though the liaison [우여니] should be practiced.

Écoute 2/5

It is a high-frequency word in dramas and news, so it is easily caught by the ear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

만나다 (to meet) 보다 (to see) 친구 (friend) 길 (street/path) 갑자기 (suddenly)

Apprends ensuite

실수로 (by mistake) 일부러 (on purpose) 마침 (just then) 뜻밖에 (unexpectedly) 공교롭게도 (coincidentally)

Avancé

필연적으로 (inevitably) 개연성 (probability) 인과관계 (cause and effect) 우발적 (incidental/accidental) 운명론 (fatalism)

Grammaire à connaître

-다가 (While doing)

길을 걷다가 우연히 친구를 만났어요.

-게 되다 (To happen to/Get to)

그 소식을 우연히 듣게 되었어요.

-아/어/여 보다 (To try/To experience)

우연히 그 책을 읽어 봤어요.

-던 중 (While doing/In the middle of)

청소를 하던 중 우연히 옛 사진을 찾았어요.

Adverbial Suffix -히

우연 (noun) + 히 = 우연히 (adverb)

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Exemples par niveau

우연히 친구를 만났어요.

I met a friend by chance.

우연히 (adverb) + 만나다 (verb)

어제 우연히 그 책을 봤어요.

I saw that book by chance yesterday.

Past tense verb: 봤어요

우연히 예쁜 카페를 찾았어요.

I found a pretty cafe by chance.

Adjective 예쁜 (pretty) modifies 카페 (cafe)

우연히 이 노래를 들었어요.

I heard this song by chance.

이 (this) + 노래 (song)

우연히 사진을 찍었어요.

I took a photo by chance.

Object marker -을 used with 사진

우연히 그를 길에서 봤어요.

I saw him on the street by chance.

Location marker -에서

우연히 맛있는 빵을 먹었어요.

I ate delicious bread by chance.

맛있는 (delicious) modifies 빵 (bread)

우연히 꽃을 발견했어요.

I discovered a flower by chance.

발견하다 means 'to discover'

길을 걷다가 우연히 옛 친구를 만났어요.

While walking, I met an old friend by chance.

-다가 indicates an action interrupted by another

도서관에서 우연히 그 책을 찾게 되었어요.

I happened to find that book in the library by chance.

-게 되다 indicates a change or 'happened to'

라디오를 듣다가 우연히 좋은 노래를 알게 됐어요.

While listening to the radio, I happened to learn about a good song.

알게 되다 (to get to know)

우연히 그 소식을 듣고 깜짝 놀랐어요.

I was surprised to hear that news by chance.

-고 connects two actions

우연히 마주친 사람이 제 동창이었어요.

The person I ran into by chance was my classmate.

Noun modifying form: 마주친 (that I ran into)

어제 우연히 제가 좋아하는 가수를 봤어요.

Yesterday, I saw my favorite singer by chance.

좋아하는 (favorite/that I like) modifies 가수

우연히 텔레비전에서 그 영화를 봤어요.

I saw that movie on TV by chance.

Television (텔레비전) + location marker

우연히 만난 사람과 친구가 되었어요.

I became friends with a person I met by chance.

-와/과 친구가 되다 (to become friends with)

여행 중에 우연히 아주 아름다운 마을을 발견했습니다.

During the trip, I discovered a very beautiful village by chance.

-중에 (during/while)

잡지를 읽다가 우연히 제 이름이 실린 기사를 봤어요.

While reading a magazine, I saw an article with my name in it by chance.

실린 (published/included) modifies 기사

그 비밀을 우연히 듣게 되었는데 정말 충격적이었어요.

I happened to hear that secret by chance, and it was really shocking.

-는데 provides background information

과학자들은 실험을 하다가 우연히 새로운 물질을 찾아냈습니다.

Scientists found a new substance by chance while conducting an experiment.

찾아내다 (to find out/discover)

우연히 인터넷에서 본 정보가 큰 도움이 되었습니다.

Information I saw on the internet by chance was a big help.

큰 도움이 되다 (to be a big help)

우리는 우연히 같은 비행기를 타게 되어서 이야기를 나눴어요.

We happened to take the same plane by chance, so we talked.

-어서 (because/so)

시장 조사를 하던 중 우연히 좋은 아이디어가 떠올랐습니다.

While doing market research, a good idea occurred to me by chance.

떠오르다 (to occur/come to mind)

우연히 들른 가게에서 마음에 쏙 드는 옷을 샀어요.

I bought clothes I really liked at a shop I stopped by by chance.

마음에 쏙 들다 (to like something very much)

그의 성공은 우연히 이루어진 것이 아니라 끊임없는 노력의 결과입니다.

His success was not achieved by chance but is the result of constant effort.

A-이/가 아니라 B-이다 (Not A but B)

역사학자들은 고대 문서를 정리하다가 우연히 숨겨진 지도를 발견했습니다.

Historians discovered a hidden map by chance while organizing ancient documents.

숨겨진 (hidden) modifies 지도

우연히 보게 된 다큐멘터리가 제 인생의 가치관을 바꿔 놓았습니다.

A documentary I happened to see by chance changed my values in life.

바꿔 놓다 (to change completely)

신약 개발 과정에서 우연히 발견된 부작용이 다른 질병의 치료제가 되기도 합니다.

Side effects discovered by chance during drug development sometimes become treatments for other diseases.

-기도 하다 (sometimes does/is also)

두 사람이 같은 날, 같은 장소에 있었던 것은 결코 우연히 일어난 일이 아닙니다.

It is by no means a chance event that the two people were at the same place on the same day.

결코 ... -지 않다/아니다 (Never/By no means)

우연히 펼친 책의 한 구절이 저에게 큰 위로가 되었습니다.

A passage in a book I opened by chance gave me great comfort.

구절 (passage/phrase)

그는 우연히 얻은 기회를 놓치지 않고 최선을 다해 성공했습니다.

He did not miss the opportunity he got by chance and succeeded by doing his best.

기회를 놓치다 (to miss an opportunity)

우연히 마주친 옛 연인 앞에서 아무렇지 않은 척하기가 힘들었습니다.

It was hard to pretend to be okay in front of an ex-lover I ran into by chance.

-척하다 (to pretend)

이 발명품은 실험 실패 후 우연히 발견된 현상을 관찰한 결과 탄생했습니다.

This invention was born as a result of observing a phenomenon discovered by chance after a failed experiment.

탄생하다 (to be born/created)

우연히 마주한 진실은 때로 우리가 감당하기에 너무 무거울 때가 있습니다.

The truth we face by chance is sometimes too heavy for us to handle.

-기에 (too... to handle)

작가는 소설 속에서 우연히 일어나는 사건들을 통해 운명의 가혹함을 묘사합니다.

Through events that happen by chance in the novel, the author depicts the harshness of fate.

묘사하다 (to describe/depict)

데이터 분석 중 우연히 발견된 이상치는 새로운 연구의 시발점이 되곤 합니다.

Outliers discovered by chance during data analysis often become the starting point for new research.

-곤 하다 (to often do)

우연히 엿듣게 된 대화 한 토막이 사건 해결의 결정적인 실마리가 되었습니다.

A snippet of conversation overheard by chance became a decisive clue in solving the case.

실마리 (clue/thread)

그가 우연히 내뱉은 말 한마디가 상대방에게는 평생 지워지지 않는 상처가 되기도 합니다.

A single word he uttered by chance can sometimes become a wound that will never be erased for the other person.

내뱉다 (to spit out/utter)

우연히 들어선 그 길 끝에는 예상치 못한 절경이 펼쳐져 있었습니다.

At the end of the path I entered by chance, an unexpected superb view unfolded.

절경 (superb view)

우연히 합석하게 된 자리에서 우리는 사업 파트너로서의 가능성을 엿보았습니다.

At a table we happened to share by chance, we saw the possibility of becoming business partners.

합석하다 (to share a table)

역사의 흐름은 때때로 우연히 발생한 사소한 사건 하나에 의해 뒤바뀌기도 한다.

The flow of history is sometimes overturned by a single minor event that occurred by chance.

-에 의해 (by/due to)

우연히 마주친 고전의 한 구절이 현대 사회의 모순을 날카롭게 꿰뚫고 있었다.

A passage from a classic encountered by chance sharply pierced through the contradictions of modern society.

꿰뚫다 (to pierce/see through)

과학적 발견의 이면에는 우연히 포착된 현상을 놓치지 않는 예리한 통찰력이 존재한다.

Behind scientific discoveries lies a keen insight that does not miss phenomena captured by chance.

이면 (the other side/background)

인간의 삶은 필연과 우연히 뒤섞인 거대한 직조물과도 같다.

Human life is like a giant tapestry where necessity and chance are intertwined.

직조물 (tapestry/woven fabric)

우연히 발견된 유전적 변이가 진화의 방향을 결정짓는 핵심 기제로 작용한다.

Genetic mutations discovered by chance act as a key mechanism that determines the direction of evolution.

기제 (mechanism)

그 철학자는 우연히 존재하는 모든 것들의 실존적 무의미함에 대해 논했다.

The philosopher discussed the existential meaninglessness of all things that exist by chance.

논하다 (to discuss/argue)

우연히 결합한 화합물들이 생명의 기원을 형성했다는 가설이 제기되었다.

A hypothesis has been raised that compounds combined by chance formed the origin of life.

가설이 제기되다 (a hypothesis is raised)

우연히 마주한 죽음의 그림자는 그로 하여금 삶의 소중함을 다시금 깨닫게 했다.

The shadow of death encountered by chance made him realize the preciousness of life once again.

-로 하여금 (making someone do something)

Synonymes

뜻밖에 어쩌다가 갑자기

Antonymes

일부러 의도적으로 계획적으로

Collocations courantes

우연히 만나다

우연히 발견하다

우연히 듣다

우연히 마주치다

우연히 알게 되다

우연히 보다

우연히 시작하다

우연히 들르다

우연히 겹치다

우연히 찾다

Phrases Courantes

단순히 우연히

— Simply by chance. Used to emphasize that there was no hidden meaning.

그건 단순히 우연히 일어난 일이에요.

우연히라도

— Even if it's just by chance. Often used in hopeful contexts.

우연히라도 다시 만났으면 좋겠어요.

정말 우연히

— Truly by chance. Used to express surprise at the level of coincidence.

정말 우연히 거기서 너를 봤어.

우연히 발생하다

— To occur by chance. Formal phrase used for events or phenomena.

화재는 우연히 발생한 것으로 보입니다.

우연히 마주한

— Encountered by chance. Used as an adjective phrase.

우연히 마주한 풍경이 너무 예뻤어요.

우연히 얻은

— Obtained by chance. Used for opportunities or objects.

우연히 얻은 정보를 활용했습니다.

우연히 찍힌

— Captured by chance (in a photo or video).

사진에 우연히 찍힌 사람이 누구예요?

우연히 들리는

— Heard by chance. Often used for music or sounds.

우연히 들리는 음악 소리가 좋네요.

우연히 지나가다

— To pass by chance.

그곳을 우연히 지나가다가 들렀어요.

우연히 알게 된

— Learned by chance. Used for people or facts.

우연히 알게 된 친구와 여행을 갔어요.

Souvent confondu avec

우연히 vs 실수로

Use '실수로' for mistakes or errors; use '우연히' for unplanned but not necessarily wrong events.

우연히 vs 갑자기

Use '갑자기' for suddenness in time; use '우연히' for lack of intent/planning.

우연히 vs 일부러

This is the direct opposite; it means 'on purpose.'

Expressions idiomatiques

"우연의 일치"

— A pure coincidence. Used when two things happen at the same time unexpectedly.

우리가 같은 옷을 입은 건 단순한 우연의 일치예요.

Neutral

"우연이 겹치다"

— Coincidences pile up. Used when multiple unplanned things happen together.

여러 우연이 겹쳐서 이 자리에 오게 됐습니다.

Neutral

"우연을 가장하다"

— To disguise as a coincidence. Used when something was planned but made to look unplanned.

그는 우연을 가장해서 그녀에게 접근했다.

Neutral

"우연에 맡기다"

— To leave it to chance. Used when you stop trying to control an outcome.

이제 결과는 우연에 맡겨야 합니다.

Neutral

"우연한 기회에"

— Through a chance opportunity. Used to explain how a career or hobby started.

우연한 기회에 연기를 시작하게 되었습니다.

Formal

"우연히 손에 넣다"

— To happen to get one's hands on something.

이 희귀한 책을 우연히 손에 넣었어요.

Neutral

"우연히 발을 들이다"

— To happen to set foot in (a field or place).

우연히 IT 업계에 발을 들이게 됐어요.

Neutral

"우연히 눈에 띄다"

— To happen to catch one's eye.

길가에 핀 꽃이 우연히 눈에 띄었어요.

Neutral

"우연이 운명이 되다"

— Coincidence becomes fate. A common romantic trope.

우연이 반복되면 운명이 된다고들 하죠.

Literary

"우연히 스치다"

— To brush past by chance. Used for brief encounters.

지하철에서 그와 우연히 스쳐 지나갔어요.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

우연히 vs 뜻밖에

Both translate to 'unexpectedly.'

'뜻밖에' emphasizes the emotional surprise or the result being different from expectation. '우연히' emphasizes the lack of a plan.

뜻밖에 합격했어요 (I passed unexpectedly - I didn't think I would). vs 우연히 합격했어요 (I passed by chance - maybe by guessing).

우연히 vs 어쩌다가

Both mean 'by chance.'

'어쩌다가' is more colloquial and often used when asking 'how' something happened. '우연히' is more formal and descriptive.

어쩌다가 그랬어? (How did that happen?) vs 우연히 그랬어요 (It happened by chance).

우연히 vs 마침

Both involve coincidences.

'마침' specifically refers to a *timely* coincidence that is often convenient. '우연히' is general randomness.

마침 비가 오네 (Just then it's raining). vs 우연히 비를 맞았어 (I got caught in the rain by chance).

우연히 vs 혹시

In English, 'if you happen to' is used for both.

'혹시' is a conditional 'if/by any chance' for future possibilities. '우연히' describes how an event occurred in the past or present.

혹시 그를 보면... (If you happen to see him...) vs 우연히 그를 보면... (If you see him by chance...)

우연히 vs 공교롭게도

Both mean 'coincidentally.'

'공교롭게도' usually implies an ironic or slightly unfortunate coincidence. '우연히' is neutral.

공교롭게도 문이 닫혔어요 (Coincidentally/Unluckily the door was closed).

Structures de phrases

우연히 [Noun]을/를 만났어요.

우연히 친구를 만났어요.

[Verb]-다가 우연히 [Verb].

길을 걷다가 우연히 그를 봤어요.

우연히 [Verb]-게 되었어요.

우연히 그 사실을 알게 되었어요.

우연히 [Noun]을/를 발견한 [Noun].

우연히 유물을 발견한 농부의 이야기.

우연히 [Verb]-ㄴ/은 것이 [Noun]의 계기가 되다.

우연히 만난 것이 성공의 계기가 되었다.

단순한 우연히 아니라 [Noun]이다.

그건 단순한 우연히 아니라 운명이다.

우연히 포착된 [Noun]을/를 통해 [Verb].

우연히 포착된 신호를 통해 외계 생명체를 찾다.

우연히 마주한 [Noun]에 대한 [Noun].

우연히 마주한 죽음에 대한 철학적 고찰.

Famille de mots

Noms

우연 (偶然) - Coincidence/Chance

우연성 (偶然性) - Contingency/Randomness

Verbes

우연하다 (偶然--) - To be accidental/coincidental

Adjectifs

우연한 (偶然-) - Accidental/Chanced (modifying form)

Apparenté

인연 (Fate/Connection)

필연 (Necessity/Inevitability)

운명 (Destiny)

실수 (Mistake)

갑자기 (Suddenly)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Korean.

Erreurs courantes

우연히 컵을 깼어요. (When you dropped it by mistake.) → 실수로 컵을 깼어요.
'우연히' is for chance events, not personal mistakes or accidents caused by negligence.
비가 우연히 내려요. → 갑자기 비가 내려요.
Weather events are rarely described as '우연히' unless you are emphasizing a strange coincidence. '갑자기' (suddenly) is more natural.
Spelling it as '우연이'. → 우연히
While it sounds like '우연이', the correct adverbial form is '우연히'.
우연히 그를 보러 갔어요. → 그를 보러 갔는데 우연히 만났어요.
You can't 'go' to see someone by chance; the 'going' is an intentional act. The 'meeting' is what happens by chance.
Using '우연히' for 'if you happen to' in a future request. → 혹시 그를 만나면...
'우연히' describes how things happened. For 'if by any chance' in the future, '혹시' is more appropriate.

Astuces

Adverb Placement

Place '우연히' right before the verb to sound most natural. For example, '우연히 봤어요' sounds better than '봤어요 우연히'.

Natural Flow

When telling a story, use '길을 가다가 우연히...' (While going on my way, by chance...). This is a very common native-like opening.

Pair with -게 되다

Using '우연히' with the '-게 되다' structure emphasizes that you didn't intend for the event to happen. '우연히 알게 됐어요' is a classic phrase.

Don't confuse with 이

Always spell it with '히'. Even though it sounds like '이' due to the liaison, '우연이' is a common misspelling.

The 'Inyeon' Connection

In Korea, meeting someone '우연히' is often the start of '인연' (fate). Use this word to show you value the unexpected encounter.

Scientific Discovery

When reading about science, '우연히' often translates to 'serendipitously' or 'accidentally discovered.' Look for it in passages about inventions.

Catch the Liaison

Listen for [u-yeo-ni]. If you look for the 'h' sound too hard, you might miss it because it blends with the 'n'.

Social Etiquette

If you see someone you know in public, saying '여기서 우연히 뵙네요!' is a polite way to acknowledge the surprise.

Vary your Synonyms

If you use '우연히' once, try using '뜻밖에' or '마침' later in the paragraph to avoid repetition and show off your vocabulary.

The 'U' Mnemonic

U = Unplanned. Whenever you see '우연히', think of the 'U' for Unplanned events.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the 'U' in 'Uyeonhi' as 'Unexpected.' When you see 'U', think: 'U are seeing someone unexpectedly!'

Association visuelle

Imagine two paths crossing at a 90-degree angle. The point where they meet is the '우연히' point—no one planned to be there at the same time.

Word Web

Chance Meeting Discovery Unplanned Surprise Fate Accident Serendipity

Défi

Try to write three sentences about things that happened to you this week without planning them. Use '우연히' in each one to describe the event.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Hanja characters 偶 (우) and 然 (연). '우' (偶) originally referred to a pair or a statue, but extended to mean 'unexpected' or 'by chance.' '연' (然) is a common suffix meaning 'state' or 'being so.'

Sens originel : The original meaning in Classical Chinese was 'to happen as a pair' or 'to happen like that unexpectedly.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Contexte culturel

There are no major sensitivities, but be careful not to use '우연히' when you should apologize for a mistake (use '실수로' instead).

In English, 'by chance' is often neutral, but 'accidentally' can be negative. '우연히' covers both but leans towards the neutral/positive 'by chance' or 'serendipity.'

The song '우연히' by Woo Yeon-i (a famous Korean trot singer). The common K-drama trope where the lead couple meets '우연히' three times before the plot begins. The Korean translation of 'Serendipity' often uses '우연한 발견' (a discovery by chance).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Social Encounters

우연히 마주치다
우연히 만나다
우연히 합석하다
우연히 인사를 나누다

Academic/Scientific

우연히 발견하다
우연히 관찰되다
우연히 도출된 결과
우연히 발생한 변이

Information/Media

우연히 듣다
우연히 보다
우연히 알게 되다
우연히 접하다

Daily Life/Shopping

우연히 들르다
우연히 찾다
우연히 눈에 띄다
우연히 사게 되다

Narrative/Storytelling

우연히 시작된 이야기
우연히 펼친 페이지
우연히 들어선 길
우연히 맺어진 인연

Amorces de conversation

"혹시 길에서 우연히 연예인을 본 적 있어요? (Have you ever seen a celebrity by chance on the street?)"

"오늘 우연히 좋은 노래를 들었는데, 제목이 뭔지 아세요? (I heard a good song by chance today, do you know what the title is?)"

"우연히 옛 친구를 만난다면 어떨 것 같아요? (How would you feel if you met an old friend by chance?)"

"여행 중에 우연히 발견한 맛집이 있나요? (Is there a famous restaurant you discovered by chance during a trip?)"

"우연히 알게 된 비밀이 있는데 들어볼래요? (I have a secret I happened to find out by chance, want to hear it?)"

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 하루 중 우연히 일어난 일 한 가지를 자세히 써 보세요. (Write in detail about one thing that happened by chance today.)

인생에서 우연히 얻은 가장 큰 기회는 무엇이었나요? (What was the biggest opportunity you got by chance in your life?)

우연히 만난 사람 중 가장 기억에 남는 사람은 누구인가요? (Who is the most memorable person you've met by chance?)

과학적 발견 중 우연히 이루어진 사례를 하나 조사해 보세요. (Research a case of a scientific discovery that was made by chance.)

우연과 필연 중 어느 것이 인생에서 더 중요하다고 생각하나요? (Which do you think is more important in life, chance or necessity?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. If you did something wrong or by error, use '실수로' (silsu-ro). '우연히' is for things that happen without a plan, like meeting a friend.

It is neutral and can be used in any situation, from talking to friends to writing a scientific paper.

우연 is the noun (coincidence), and 우연히 is the adverb (by chance). For example: '이것은 우연이다' (This is a coincidence) vs '우연히 만났다' (Met by chance).

It is pronounced [u-yeo-ni] because the 'n' sound moves to the next syllable.

Yes, you can. '우연히 저는 그를 만났습니다' is perfectly fine and emphasizes the chance nature of the meeting.

Not exactly a slang version, but '어쩌다 보니' is a very common informal phrase that carries a similar meaning.

It is usually neutral or positive. However, it can be negative if the coincidence is bad, though '공교롭게도' is more common for bad coincidences.

Yes, it can mean 'randomly' in a scientific context, like '우연히 선택된 샘플' (a randomly selected sample).

The Hanja is 偶然 (우연). '히' is a Korean adverbial suffix.

Yes, it is a very common word in the TOPIK I and II exams, especially in reading and listening sections.

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