Use '时不时' to describe actions or events that happen occasionally, with irregular gaps in between.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Occasional, not constant, but happens sometimes.
- Implies an irregular time interval between occurrences.
- Common in everyday speech for moderate frequency.
Overview
“时不时”是一个副词，用来描述某事发生的频率不高，也不是完全不发生，而是处于一种“偶尔”、“间或”的状态。它暗示了事件之间存在一定的时间间隔，并且这种间隔的长短和出现的规律性是不确定的。这个词语在日常口语和书面语中都非常常用，能够生动地表达出一种不确定但又确实存在的发生频率。
“时不时”通常用在动词或形容词前，修饰动作或状态的发生频率。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他表示时间的词语组合使用，但要注意避免重复和语意不清。例如，“他时不时会想起过去的时光”或“天气时不时会变冷”。它也可以放在句首或句末，但放在动词前是最常见的用法。
“时不时”常用于描述个人习惯、生活琐事、自然现象或情感变化等。例如：
情感变化：虽然已经过去很久，但他时不时还会感到失落。
在这些语境中，“时不时”都准确地传达了事件并非持续发生，而是偶尔出现的含义。
“偶尔”和“时不时”意思非常接近，都表示频率不高。但“偶尔”更侧重于“难得”、“不常有”的意味，有时可能比“时不时”更不频繁一些。例如，“我偶尔会去看电影”，可能一年去不了几次。“时不时”则更强调“间或”、“时而”，暗示着虽然不频繁，但发生的次数相对“偶尔”会多一些，且有一定的时间间隔感。
“有时”表示“有时候”，比“偶尔”和“时不时”的频率可能要高一些，更接近于“有时侯”、“部分时间”。例如，“我有时会加班”，可能一周有几天会加班。“时不时”则明显低于“有时”的频率。
“经常”表示频率很高，与“时不时”是反义关系，表示的事情发生得非常频繁，几乎是规律性的。
Examples
他工作很忙，但时不时还是会抽出时间陪家人。
everydayHe is very busy with work, but from time to time he still makes time to accompany his family.
虽然已经过了很多年，但每当看到老照片，他时不时会回忆起童年的点点滴滴。
reflectiveAlthough many years have passed, whenever he sees old photos, he occasionally recalls the bits and pieces of his childhood.
这几天天气不太稳定，时不时会飘点小雨。
descriptiveThe weather has been unstable these few days; it drizzles from time to time.
在研究过程中，研究人员时不时会遇到一些意想不到的困难。
academicDuring the research process, the researchers occasionally encountered some unexpected difficulties.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
时不时地想
occasionally think of
时不时地发生
occasionally happen
时不时地出现
occasionally appear
Often Confused With
'Occasionally' (偶尔) often implies a lower frequency and a sense of rarity compared to 'from time to time' (时不时), which suggests a more regular, albeit infrequent, recurrence.
'Sometimes' (有时) indicates a higher frequency than '时不时'. If '时不时' suggests a few times a month, '有时' might suggest several times a week.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This adverb is very common in everyday Chinese conversation and writing. It's generally neutral in terms of formality. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise adverbs might be preferred. It can be used to soften statements about frequency, making them sound less absolute.
Common Mistakes
Do not use '时不时' with words that indicate high frequency like '经常' or '总是' as it creates a contradiction. Ensure the context implies an irregular gap between occurrences, not a continuous action.
Tips
Visualize the Gaps
Think of '时不时' as actions that have pauses or breaks between them, not a continuous flow.
Avoid Overuse
While common, using '时不时' too frequently can make your speech sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary.
Everyday Life Frequency
This word is perfect for describing the natural ebb and flow of daily routines and minor events.
Word Origin
The word '时不时' is a colloquial expression formed by combining '时' (time, moment) and '不时' (not infrequent, often). It literally suggests that time passes and events 'not infrequently' occur, leading to the meaning of 'occasionally'.
Cultural Context
The concept of '时不时' reflects a common human experience of events happening with varying degrees of regularity. It's a natural way to express the rhythm of life, acknowledging that things don't always happen constantly but occur with noticeable intervals.
Memory Tip
Think of '时' (time) and '不时' (not not happening) - meaning time passes, and it does happen, but not constantly. Like watching a clock tick, it happens, but there are pauses between ticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“时不时”和“偶尔”都表示频率不高，但“时不时”更强调动作或情况在一定时间间隔后再次发生，有“时而”的意味；而“偶尔”则更侧重于“不常有”、“难得”的程度，可能比“时不时”更不频繁。
“时不时”通常放在动词前，修饰动作。也可以放在句首或句末，但放在动词前是最自然和常见的用法。
一般不建议将“时不时”与“经常”、“总是”等表示高频率的词语连用，因为它们在意义上是矛盾的。但可以和“一个月”、“一年”等表示时间长度的词语结合，如“一个月时不时会下雨”。
“时不时”在口语和书面语中都很常用，偏向于中性，但可能在非常正式的场合会倾向于使用“偶尔”或“间或”。
Test Yourself
虽然我们现在不常联系了，但我______会想起我们一起度过的时光。
句意表示“我”虽然不常联系，但会间隔一段时间想起过去，符合“时不时”的含义。
以下哪个句子最能表达“偶尔发生”的意思？
选项A表示他参加聚会的频率不高，但也不是完全不参加，符合“时不时”的含义。
用“时不时”和“下雨”、“秋天”组句。
选项C结构完整，意思清晰，表示在秋天这个季节，会有间歇性的降雨。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '时不时' to describe actions or events that happen occasionally, with irregular gaps in between.
- Occasional, not constant, but happens sometimes.
- Implies an irregular time interval between occurrences.
- Common in everyday speech for moderate frequency.
Visualize the Gaps
Think of '时不时' as actions that have pauses or breaks between them, not a continuous flow.
Avoid Overuse
While common, using '时不时' too frequently can make your speech sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary.
Everyday Life Frequency
This word is perfect for describing the natural ebb and flow of daily routines and minor events.
Examples
4 of 4他工作很忙，但时不时还是会抽出时间陪家人。
He is very busy with work, but from time to time he still makes time to accompany his family.
虽然已经过了很多年，但每当看到老照片，他时不时会回忆起童年的点点滴滴。
Although many years have passed, whenever he sees old photos, he occasionally recalls the bits and pieces of his childhood.
这几天天气不太稳定，时不时会飘点小雨。
The weather has been unstable these few days; it drizzles from time to time.
在研究过程中，研究人员时不时会遇到一些意想不到的困难。
During the research process, the researchers occasionally encountered some unexpected difficulties.
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