Use '间或' to describe events that happen occasionally and unpredictably.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Occasionally, with irregular intervals.
- Not frequent, but not never.
- More formal than 'sometimes'.
Overview
“间或”是一个表示频率的副词，用于描述某事件或行为发生的频率不高，时间间隔不规律，但并非完全停止。它介于“从不”和“经常”之间，强调的是一种不确定但又确实存在的发生可能。这个词语在书面语和口语中都有使用，但更偏向于书面语或较为正式的场合。
“间或”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或频率的词语搭配使用，以增强语意。例如，“他间或会去看望一下老朋友”，“生活中间或会遇到一些小麻烦”。
这个词语常见于描述生活中的偶发事件、不规律的习惯或不确定的情况。例如，在文学作品中描述人物的内心活动或生活片段，在新闻报道中提及某种现象的偶尔出现，或者在日常对话中谈论不常发生但可能发生的事情。它也可能出现在一些较为正式的通知或说明中，用来表示某种情况并非绝对，而是偶尔发生。
“不时”表示“时常，经常”，频率比“间或”高得多，两者意思相反。
“偶尔”和“间或”意思非常接近，都可以表示次数不多。但“间或”可能比“偶尔”更带有一些不规律性或偶然性的意味。
“有时”比“间或”更常用，表示一种比较随意的“偶尔”。“间或”则更强调时间上的不确定性和间隔性。
Examples
虽然城市生活节奏快，但我们间或也能找到片刻的宁静。
everydayAlthough the pace of city life is fast, we can occasionally find moments of tranquility.
这位老教授的研究领域非常独特，其学术成果间或会引起业界的广泛关注。
academicThis old professor's research field is very unique; his academic achievements occasionally attract widespread attention from the industry.
他是个内向的人，平时话不多，但间或也会和朋友们开开玩笑。
informalHe's an introverted person and usually doesn't talk much, but he'll crack jokes with his friends now and then.
在偏远地区，电力供应间或会出现不稳定。
formalIn remote areas, the power supply may experience occasional instability.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
间或能看到
can occasionally see
间或会想起
will occasionally recall
间或发生的事情
things that happen occasionally
Often Confused With
'间或' emphasizes the irregular interval and unpredictability more strongly than '偶尔', which simply means 'infrequently'.
'有时' is a more general term for 'sometimes' and can imply a slightly higher or more regular frequency than '间或'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Primarily used in written Chinese or more formal spoken contexts. It conveys a sense of infrequent but possible occurrence. Avoid using it in very casual conversation where simpler words like '有时' or '偶尔' would suffice.
Common Mistakes
Using '间或' to describe something that happens regularly or very frequently. Confusing its meaning with antonyms like '经常' or '不时'.
Tips
Emphasize Irregularity
Use '间或' when you want to highlight that something happens, but not on a regular schedule.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Speech
While understandable, '间或' can sound a bit too formal or literary for very casual, everyday conversations.
Subtlety in Frequency
Chinese culture often values subtle expressions. '间或' allows for expressing infrequent occurrences without being overly direct or definitive.
Word Origin
The word '间或' originates from classical Chinese. '间' (jiān) means 'interval' or 'between', and '或' (huò) means 'or', 'perhaps', or 'sometimes'. Together, they form an adverb indicating something that occurs sporadically or between intervals.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, expressing things subtly is often appreciated. '间或' allows speakers to indicate that something happens without sounding overly definitive or insistent, reflecting a nuanced approach to describing frequency.
Memory Tip
Think of '间' (interval) and '或' (or, perhaps). It's like saying 'between intervals, perhaps it happens'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“间或”和“偶尔”意思相近，都表示次数不多。但“间或”更侧重于时间上的不确定性和间隔性，听起来可能比“偶尔”更有一点偶然或不规律的感觉。
“间或”可以用在描述生活中的偶发事件、不规律的习惯或不确定的情况。在书面语或较为正式的场合使用较为恰当。
“间或”的频率通常比“有时”要低，并且更强调时间上的不规律性。 “有时”可以表示比“间或”更频繁的发生。
“间或”本身是一个中性词，不带有褒贬色彩。它的感情色彩取决于所描述的具体事件和语境。
Test Yourself
他虽然工作很忙，但______会抽出时间来陪伴家人。
这里描述的是忙碌之余的偶尔陪伴，符合“间或”表示不规律、次数不多的含义。
以下哪个词语最能表达“不经常发生，且时间不固定”的含义？
“间或”强调了发生频率不高和时间上的不确定性，比“偶尔”更能体现这种不规律性。
用“间或”造句。
这句话准确地表达了“想起过去的时光”这种行为不是频繁发生的，而是偶尔、不规律地发生。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '间或' to describe events that happen occasionally and unpredictably.
- Occasionally, with irregular intervals.
- Not frequent, but not never.
- More formal than 'sometimes'.
Emphasize Irregularity
Use '间或' when you want to highlight that something happens, but not on a regular schedule.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Speech
While understandable, '间或' can sound a bit too formal or literary for very casual, everyday conversations.
Subtlety in Frequency
Chinese culture often values subtle expressions. '间或' allows for expressing infrequent occurrences without being overly direct or definitive.
Examples
4 of 4虽然城市生活节奏快，但我们间或也能找到片刻的宁静。
Although the pace of city life is fast, we can occasionally find moments of tranquility.
这位老教授的研究领域非常独特，其学术成果间或会引起业界的广泛关注。
This old professor's research field is very unique; his academic achievements occasionally attract widespread attention from the industry.
他是个内向的人，平时话不多，但间或也会和朋友们开开玩笑。
He's an introverted person and usually doesn't talk much, but he'll crack jokes with his friends now and then.
在偏远地区，电力供应间或会出现不稳定。
In remote areas, the power supply may experience occasional instability.
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