用你的语言查看此页面

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

हिन्दी

首页
学习
中文
词汇
有时候

A1 adverb #1,000 最常用 14分钟阅读

有时候

youshihou 前1,000

At the A1 level, 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is one of the first adverbs you learn to describe your daily routine. It allows you to move beyond saying what you 'always' or 'never' do. For example, instead of just saying 'I eat Chinese food,' you can say 'I sometimes eat Chinese food.' The grammar is very simple at this level: just put yǒu shí hou right before the verb. It's important to remember that it doesn't change based on the person (I, you, he, she) or the time (past, present, future). It's a stable, easy-to-use word. You will use it to talk about hobbies, food preferences, and basic schedules. For instance, 'Sometimes I go to the park' (有时候我去公园). At this stage, don't worry about the more complex 'sometimes... sometimes...' structure; just focus on placing it correctly before the action. Think of it as a 'frequency sticker' you can put in front of any basic sentence to make it more accurate. It's also a great way to answer questions about how often you do something. If someone asks 'Do you drink coffee?' and you don't want to say 'Yes' or 'No,' you can just say 'Yǒu shí hou.' It's a perfect, short answer that sounds very natural.

At the A2 level, you start to use 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) to create more complex descriptions of your life and the world around you. This is where you should begin practicing the yǒu shí hou... yǒu shí hou... (sometimes... sometimes...) pattern. This is incredibly useful for describing things that change, like the weather, your mood, or your busy schedule. For example, 'Sometimes I am busy, sometimes I am not busy' (有时候我很忙，有时候我不忙). You also start to learn where it fits in relation to other time words. You might say 'On weekends, I sometimes go to the cinema.' You are also learning to distinguish it from yǒu shíjiān (to have time). At A2, you should be comfortable placing yǒu shí hou either before the subject or after the subject, and you should understand that both are correct. You are also starting to use it with a wider range of verbs, including modal verbs like huì (can/will) or xiǎng (want to). For example, 'Sometimes I want to go home' (有时候我想回家). This level is about building confidence in using the word to add variety to your speech.

By the B1 level, you are expected to use 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) fluently in both spoken and written contexts. You should be able to use it to provide nuance in discussions and debates. For instance, when talking about the advantages and disadvantages of technology, you might say, 'Sometimes technology makes life easier, but sometimes it makes us lazy.' You are also introduced to the shortened version yǒu shí, which you will encounter more frequently in reading materials and formal listening exercises. At B1, you should also be able to use yǒu shí hou to describe past habits in a narrative. 'When I lived in Beijing, I sometimes went to the Great Wall.' You are also learning to compare yǒu shí hou with more specific frequency words like ǒu'ěr (occasionally) and jīngcháng (often). You should be able to choose the right word based on the specific frequency you want to convey. Your sentences are becoming longer, and yǒu shí hou helps you connect different ideas. For example, 'Although I like my job, sometimes I feel very stressed.' This shows you are using the word not just for frequency, but as a tool for logical connection and contrast.

At the B2 level, your use of 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) becomes more sophisticated. you understand its role in 'hedging'—making statements less absolute to sound more polite or academic. You can use it in professional settings to describe work processes or market trends. For example, 'Sometimes the market fluctuates due to external factors.' You are also becoming more aware of the register. You know that while yǒu shí hou is perfectly fine for a presentation, using yǒu shí or ǒu'ěr might make your writing sound more professional. You are also able to use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as within relative clauses or as part of a larger conditional statement. 'If you sometimes feel lonely, you should join a club.' At this level, you are also expected to understand the word when it's used in idiomatic expressions or more abstract philosophical contexts. You can appreciate how the word is used in literature to create a sense of atmosphere or to describe the internal contradictions of a character. Your ability to use the 'sometimes... sometimes...' structure is now flawless, and you can even use it with three or more items to create a rhythmic, persuasive effect in your speaking.

At the C1 level, 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is used with precision and stylistic flair. You understand the subtle rhythmic differences between yǒu shí hou, yǒu shí, and yǒu de shíhou. You can use these variations to avoid repetition and to control the flow of your prose. You are also familiar with literary synonyms like jiànhuò and can use them appropriately in high-level writing. At this stage, you might use yǒu shí hou to explore complex, abstract themes in essays or speeches. For example, discussing the nature of truth: 'Truth is sometimes clear, but more often it is hidden behind layers of interpretation.' You are also sensitive to the cultural implications of the word, such as its use in maintaining 'face' by softening criticisms. You can interpret the deeper meaning when a native speaker uses yǒu shí hou in a negotiation or a delicate social situation. Your listening skills are sharp enough to catch the word even when spoken quickly or with a regional accent, and you can immediately grasp the contrast it is setting up. You are no longer just using the word; you are wielding it as a tool for nuanced expression.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 有时候 (yǒu shí hou). You can use it in any context, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic discourse. You are aware of its historical development and how its usage has evolved in modern Mandarin. You can use it to mimic different styles of writing, from the concise prose of a news report to the descriptive, emotive language of a novel. You understand the word's role in the broader system of Chinese temporal and aspectual markers. In high-level debates, you use yǒu shí hou to acknowledge counter-arguments and to present a balanced, sophisticated worldview. You can also identify and use the word in classical-style poetry or prose where it might appear in a more archaic form. Your use of the word is so natural that you don't even think about the grammar; it has become an instinctive part of your linguistic repertoire. You can even use it humorously or ironically, playing with the listener's expectations of frequency. At this level, 有时候 is not just a word for 'sometimes'; it is a versatile instrument that you use to play the complex melody of the Chinese language.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

有时候 30秒了解

有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is the standard Chinese word for 'sometimes,' used to describe actions or states that occur with moderate frequency.
It is placed before the verb or at the start of a sentence, never at the end like the English 'sometimes.'
The repeated pattern '有时候... 有时候...' is a common way to describe contrasting or varying situations in a single sentence.
It is a versatile word suitable for all levels of formality, though '有时' (yǒu shí) is a more concise written alternative.

The Chinese adverb 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is one of the most fundamental building blocks for expressing frequency in Mandarin Chinese. At its core, it translates to the English word 'sometimes,' but its linguistic construction offers a fascinating glimpse into how Chinese conceptualizes time. The term is composed of three characters: yǒu (有), meaning 'to have' or 'there is'; shí (时), meaning 'time' or 'hour'; and hou (候), meaning 'wait' or 'time period.' When combined, shíhou (时候) refers to a point in time or a duration. Therefore, 有时候 literally translates to 'there are times' or 'having moments.' This literal meaning is very helpful for learners because it explains why the word can appear at the very beginning of a sentence, acting as a temporal frame for the entire statement.

Frequency Level: In the spectrum of frequency adverbs, yǒu shí hou sits comfortably in the middle. It indicates an occurrence that is more frequent than ǒu'ěr (偶尔 - occasionally) but less frequent than jīngcháng (经常 - often) or píngshí (平时 - usually).
Structural Flexibility: Unlike many English adverbs that can float to the end of a sentence (e.g., 'I go there sometimes'), the Chinese yǒu shí hou must strictly precede the verb. It can appear either before the subject or between the subject and the verb.

Native speakers use this word in almost every context imaginable, from describing personal habits and weather patterns to discussing complex emotional states. It is a 'softening' word; by saying something happens 'sometimes,' a speaker avoids making a definitive, absolute statement, which aligns with the cultural preference for indirectness and modesty in many Chinese-speaking communities.

我有时候喜欢一个人散步。 (Wǒ yǒu shí hou xǐhuān yīgè rén sànbù.) - I sometimes like to take a walk alone.

Beyond simple frequency, it is often used in a repetitive structure: yǒu shí hou... yǒu shí hou... which translates to 'sometimes... and other times...' This is a powerful rhetorical device used to describe contrasting states or a variety of activities. For example, describing a child's behavior: 'Sometimes he is quiet, sometimes he is loud.' This structure is essential for moving beyond simple sentences into more descriptive, natural-sounding Chinese.

有时候天气很热，有时候天气很凉快。 (Yǒu shí hou tiānqì hěn rè, yǒu shí hou tiānqì hěn liángkuai.) - Sometimes the weather is very hot, sometimes it is very cool.

In modern digital communication, you might see it used to express a sense of relatability or 'mood.' A social media post might simply start with yǒu shí hou followed by a relatable struggle, like 'Sometimes I just want to sleep all day.' This usage mirrors the English 'That feeling when...' or 'Sometimes it be like that.' Understanding yǒu shí hou is not just about learning a vocabulary word; it is about learning how to frame reality as a series of intermittent events rather than constant states.

Cultural Nuance: In traditional Chinese philosophy, the concept of change is central. Using yǒu shí hou acknowledges that things are not static. It reflects a worldview where conditions are constantly shifting, and what is true now might not be true in the next 'moment' (shíhou).

生活有时候很难，但我们要坚持。 (Shēnghuó yǒu shí hou hěn nán, dàn wǒmen yào jiānchí.) - Life is sometimes very hard, but we must persevere.

他有时候去健身房，有时候在公园跑步。 (Tā yǒu shí hou qù jiànshēnfáng, yǒu shí hou zài gōngyuán pǎobù.) - Sometimes he goes to the gym, sometimes he runs in the park.

Mastering the placement of 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is the key to sounding like a native speaker. In Chinese grammar, time adverbs and frequency adverbs have specific 'slots' they can occupy. For yǒu shí hou, there are two primary positions. The first is before the subject. When you place it here, you are emphasizing the timeframe or the frequency itself. It acts as a scene-setter for the entire clause. For example, 'Sometimes, I eat breakfast at 10 AM' would be Yǒu shí hou, wǒ shí diǎn chī zǎofàn. This is very common when you are listing different habits or describing a general situation.

Position A: Before Subject: 有时候 + Subject + Verb + Object. Example: 有时候我不念书。 (Sometimes I don't study.)
Position B: After Subject: Subject + 有时候 + Verb + Object. Example: 我有时候不念书。 (I sometimes don't study.)

The second position is between the subject and the verb. This is perhaps the most frequent usage in casual conversation. It functions similarly to the English 'I sometimes do...' In this position, the focus is more on the action and the person performing it, with the frequency acting as a modifier for the verb.

我妈妈有时候给我打电话。 (Wǒ māma yǒu shí hou gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.) - My mom sometimes gives me a phone call.

One of the most important grammatical patterns to learn is the Parallel Structure: 有时候... 有时候... (Sometimes... sometimes...). This is used to show variety or alternation. You can even extend this to three or more repetitions: 有时候... 有时候... 还有时候... (Sometimes... sometimes... and other times...). This is a hallmark of sophisticated Chinese sentence construction.

这个地方有时候下雨，有时候刮风。 (Zhège dìfāng yǒu shí hou xiàyǔ, yǒu shí hou guāfēng.) - This place sometimes rains, sometimes is windy.

Another nuance involves the use of yǒu shí hou with negation. If you want to say 'sometimes not,' you place the negative particle bù (不) or méi (没) after yǒu shí hou. For example, Wǒ yǒu shí hou bù chī wǎnfàn (I sometimes don't eat dinner). However, if you want to say 'not always,' you would use bù dōu (不都) or bù zǒngshì (不总是), not yǒu shí hou.

Comparison with 'ǒu'ěr': 有时候 is neutral and very common. 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) is more formal and implies a much lower frequency, closer to 'once in a blue moon' or 'occasionally.'

In questions, you don't typically use yǒu shí hou to ask 'Do you sometimes...?' Instead, you would use shì bù shì (是不是 - is it or is it not) or simply ask about the frequency using jīngcháng ma? (经常吗 - often?). However, you can use it in a statement that ends with a question tag: Nǐ yǒu shí hou yě huì xiǎng jiā, duì ba? (You sometimes miss home too, right?).

网速有时候很快，有时候很慢。 (Wǎngsù yǒu shí hou hěn kuài, yǒu shí hou hěn màn.) - The internet speed is sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

我有时候真不明白他在想什么。 (Wǒ yǒu shí hou zhēn bù míngbai tā zài xiǎng shénme.) - I sometimes really don't understand what he is thinking.

If you spend a day in a Chinese-speaking city like Beijing, Shanghai, or Taipei, you will hear 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) dozens of times. It is a 'utility' word that fits into almost any social interaction. In a coffee shop, you might hear someone say, 'I sometimes add sugar, but today I want it black.' In an office, a colleague might remark, 'The boss is sometimes very strict, but he is actually a good person.' It is the ultimate tool for nuance.

In Pop Culture: Mandopop (Mandarin popular music) is full of yǒu shí hou. Songs about love often use it to describe the unpredictable nature of feelings. For instance, 'Sometimes I miss you, sometimes I want to forget you.' It provides a rhythmic balance to lyrics.
In News and Media: Weather forecasts are a prime location for this word. 'Sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny' (yǒu shí duōyún, yǒu shí qíng) is a standard phrase. In economic reports, analysts use it to describe market fluctuations.

One specific place you will hear it is in 'complaint' culture or 'venting.' When people talk about their frustrations, they use yǒu shí hou to make their complaints sound less like a personal attack and more like an observation of a recurring problem. 'Sometimes you are just too stubborn!' (Nǐ yǒu shí hou zhēn de tài gùzhí le!). By adding 'sometimes,' the speaker leaves room for the person to be 'not stubborn' at other times, which helps maintain social harmony (or 'mianzi' - face).

老板有时候会请我们喝咖啡。 (Lǎobǎn yǒu shí hou huì qǐng wǒmen hē kāfēi.) - The boss sometimes treats us to coffee.

In educational settings, teachers use it to explain rules and their exceptions. 'Sometimes we use this character, but in this specific case, we use that one.' It is also very common in children's literature to describe the whimsical nature of animals or magical events.

小猫有时候很乖，有时候很调皮。 (Xiǎomāo yǒu shí hou hěn guāi, yǒu shí hou hěn tiáopí.) - The kitten is sometimes very good, sometimes very naughty.

Social Media Slang: On platforms like WeChat or Weibo, yǒu shí hou is used in captions for 'mood' photos. A photo of a rainy window might be captioned: 'Sometimes, silence is the best medicine' (Yǒu shí hou, chénmò shì zuì hǎo de liángyào).

Finally, you will hear it in travel vlogs and food reviews. A reviewer might say, 'The service here is yǒu shí hou a bit slow, but the food is worth the wait.' This balanced perspective is highly valued in Chinese discourse. It shows that the speaker is being fair and considering multiple occasions rather than judging based on a single experience.

有时候，最简单的菜反而最难做。 (Yǒu shí hou, zuì jiǎndān de cài fǎn'ér zuì nán zuò.) - Sometimes, the simplest dishes are actually the hardest to make.

我有时候觉得，时间过得太快了。 (Wǒ yǒu shí hou juéde, shíjiān guò de tài kuài le.) - I sometimes feel that time passes too quickly.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) is word order. In English, we have great flexibility with 'sometimes.' We can say 'Sometimes I go,' 'I sometimes go,' or 'I go sometimes.' In Chinese, that third option—placing it at the end—is a grammatical 'death sentence.' You can never say *Wǒ qù yǒu shí hou. This is because in Chinese, adverbs that modify the verb or the entire sentence must appear before the verb.

Mistake 1: End-of-Sentence Placement: Incorrect: *Wǒ hē kāfēi yǒu shí hou. Correct: Wǒ yǒu shí hou hē kāfēi. (I sometimes drink coffee.)
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'yǒu shíjiān': Learners often confuse yǒu shíhou (sometimes) with yǒu shíjiān (to have time/be free). If you say Wǒ yǒu shíhou, you are saying 'I sometimes...' but if you mean 'I have time to help you,' you must say Wǒ yǒu shíjiān.

Another common error is using yǒu shí hou when you actually mean 'occasionally' (ǒu'ěr). While they are similar, yǒu shí hou implies a more regular, though not constant, occurrence. If something happens only once or twice a year, ǒu'ěr is the better choice. Using yǒu shí hou for very rare events can sound slightly off to a native ear.

错误：我有时候去月球。 (Incorrect: I sometimes go to the moon.) — Unless you are an astronaut, this is too frequent!

Learners also struggle with the repetition pattern. Some try to use yǒu shí hou... dànshì... (sometimes... but...) when the native pattern yǒu shí hou... yǒu shí hou... already implies the contrast. While adding dànshì isn't strictly wrong, it can feel redundant.

Mistake 3: Over-using 'yǒu shí hou': In English, we use 'sometimes' to be vague. In Chinese, if you use yǒu shí hou too much in one paragraph, it sounds repetitive. Try to vary your vocabulary with ǒu'ěr, yǒu shí, or bù dìngqí (irregularly).

Finally, watch out for the 'double subject' trap. When using yǒu shí hou at the start of a sentence, beginners sometimes repeat the subject unnecessarily: *Yǒu shí hou wǒ, wǒ xiǎng chī píngguǒ. (Sometimes I, I want to eat an apple.) Keep it clean: Yǒu shí hou wǒ xiǎng chī píngguǒ.

正确：有时候我觉得累，有时候我觉得很有精神。 (Correct: Sometimes I feel tired, sometimes I feel very energetic.)

错误：我有的时候去。 (While 'yǒu de shíhou' is technically okay, 'yǒu shíhou' is much more natural and common.)

To truly master Chinese, you need to know when to use 有时候 (yǒu shí hou) and when to reach for a synonym. The most common alternative is 有时 (yǒu shí). This is simply a shortened version. In spoken Chinese, yǒu shí hou is much more common because the three syllables provide a nice cadence. In written Chinese, especially in literature or news, yǒu shí is preferred for its brevity.

Comparison: 有时候 vs. 偶尔: 有时候: Frequency is roughly 30-50%. It's a common habit.
偶尔 (ǒu'ěr): Frequency is 5-10%. It's an exception to the rule. Example: 'I sometimes eat meat' vs. 'I occasionally eat meat.'
Comparison: 有时候 vs. 时常: 有时候: Neutral frequency.
时常 (shícháng): High frequency, similar to 'often' or 'frequently.' If you do something more than half the time, use shícháng.

Another interesting alternative is 间或 (jiànhuò). This is a very formal, literary term for 'occasionally' or 'at intervals.' You will likely only see this in high-level novels or classical-style essays. For beginners and intermediate learners, yǒu shí hou remains the safest and most versatile choice.

他偶尔抽烟，但并不经常。 (Tā ǒu'ěr chōuyān, dàn bìng bù jīngcháng.) - He occasionally smokes, but not often.

In the context of 'sometimes... sometimes...', you can also use yī huìr... yī huìr... (一会儿... 一会儿...). However, yī huìr implies a much faster change. For example, 'The weather is changing every minute' would use yī huìr, whereas 'Sometimes it's a rainy season, sometimes it's dry' would use yǒu shí hou.

Formal vs. Informal: Informal: yǒu shí hou (spoken, casual).
Neutral: yǒu shí (news, articles).
Formal: ǒu'ěr or jiànhuò (literature).

Understanding these distinctions allows you to paint a more precise picture of frequency. If you are describing a person's character, using yǒu shí hou suggests a balanced view, while ǒu'ěr suggests a rare quirk.

书上有时会印错字。 (Shū shàng yǒu shí huì yìn cuòzì.) - Books sometimes have typos printed in them.

我时常想起童年的往事。 (Wǒ shícháng xiǎngqǐ tóngnián de wǎngshì.) - I frequently think of the past events of my childhood.

How Formal Is It?

正式

"在极端天气下，交通有时会受到影响。"

中性

"我有时候去图书馆看书。"

非正式

"我有的时候真想大哭一场。"

Child friendly

"小兔子有时候跳，有时候跑。"

俚语

"有时候真服了你了。"

趣味小知识

The character '候' (hòu) in '时候' actually contains the radical for 'person' (亻) and a component that originally looked like an arrow hitting a target, suggesting the 'timing' of an event.

发音指南

UK /jəʊ ʃiː hoʊ/

US /joʊ ʃi hoʊ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'yǒu', with the second syllable 'shí' also receiving emphasis. The final syllable 'hou' is unstressed.

押韵词

口 (kǒu) 走 (zǒu) 手 (shǒu) 狗 (gǒu) 酒 (jiǔ) 后 (hòu) 肉 (ròu) 楼 (lóu)

常见错误

Pronouncing 'hou' with a full fourth tone instead of a neutral tone.
Failing to rise enough on the second tone of 'shí'.
Pronouncing 'yǒu' as a flat tone instead of a dipping third tone.
Mixing up 'shí' (time) with 'shì' (to be).
Adding an 'r' sound at the end (yǒu shí hour) which is not standard.

难度评级

阅读 1/5

The characters are basic and the meaning is straightforward.

写作 2/5

The character '候' can be tricky for beginners to write correctly.

口语 2/5

Requires correct placement before the verb, which is different from English.

听力 1/5

The word is very distinct and easy to hear in conversation.

接下来学什么

前置知识

有 (yǒu) 时 (shí) 候 (hòu) 时候 (shíhou) 不 (bù)

接下来学习

经常 (jīngcháng) 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) 总是 (zǒngshì) 平时 (píngshí) 从来 (cónglái)

高级

间或 (jiànhuò) 时而 (shí'ér) 不时 (bùshí) 时常 (shícháng) 每当 (měidāng)

需要掌握的语法

Adverb Placement

Adverbs like 有时候 must be placed before the verb.

Parallel Structure

Using 有时候... 有时候... to show contrast.

Negation with Adverbs

Place 'bù' after 有时候 to say 'sometimes not'.

Subject-Adverb Order

The subject can come before or after 有时候.

Shortening for Formal Register

Shorten 有时候 to 有时 in written text.

按水平分级的例句

我有时候喝茶。

I sometimes drink tea.

Placement: 'yǒu shí hou' comes before the verb 'hē' (drink).

有时候我去商店。

Sometimes I go to the store.

Placement: 'yǒu shí hou' can also come at the very beginning of the sentence.

他有时候不吃早饭。

He sometimes doesn't eat breakfast.

Negation: 'bù' (not) comes after 'yǒu shí hou'.

有时候天气很好。

Sometimes the weather is very good.

Usage: Describing a state (weather) using 'hěn' (very).

我们有时候看电影。

We sometimes watch movies.

Subject: 'wǒmen' (we) is followed by the frequency adverb.

有时候老师很累。

Sometimes the teacher is very tired.

Adjective: 'lèi' (tired) is modified by 'hěn' and 'yǒu shí hou'.

我有时候想家。

I sometimes miss home.

Emotion: Using 'yǒu shí hou' with the verb 'xiǎng' (to miss/think of).

有时候他很忙。

Sometimes he is very busy.

Structure: Frequency + Subject + Adjective.

有时候我走路去学校，有时候坐公共汽车。

Sometimes I walk to school, sometimes I take the bus.

Parallel Structure: 'yǒu shí hou... yǒu shí hou...' shows two different options.

我有时候会帮妈妈做饭。

I sometimes help my mom cook.

Modal Verb: 'huì' (will/can) is used here to indicate a recurring action.

这个地方有时候下雪。

This place sometimes snows.

Subject: 'zhège dìfāng' (this place) is the subject.

有时候我觉得汉语很难，有时候觉得很有趣。

Sometimes I think Chinese is hard, sometimes I think it's interesting.

Contrast: Using the parallel structure to show changing feelings.

他有时候九点上班，有时候十点上班。

He sometimes goes to work at 9, sometimes at 10.

Time: The specific time comes after 'yǒu shí hou'.

我有时候会去图书馆借书。

I sometimes go to the library to borrow books.

Purpose: 'qù... jiè shū' (go to... borrow books).

有时候我不明白他说的话。

Sometimes I don't understand what he says.

Phrase: 'tā shuō de huà' (the words he speaks).

我有时候在家里工作。

I sometimes work at home.

Location: 'zài jiālǐ' (at home) comes after 'yǒu shí hou'.

虽然他很聪明，但有时候也会犯错。

Although he is smart, he sometimes makes mistakes too.

Conjunction: Used with 'suīrán... dànshì...' (although... but...).

有时候，沉默比说话更有力。

Sometimes, silence is more powerful than speaking.

Comparison: Using 'bǐ' (than) in a philosophical statement.

工作压力有时候会让人觉得很累。

Work pressure sometimes makes people feel very tired.

Causative: 'ràng' (to make/let) used with 'yǒu shí hou'.

我有时候会想，如果我没来这里会怎么样。

I sometimes wonder what would happen if I hadn't come here.

Conditional: Used with 'rúguǒ' (if) in a reflective sentence.

网络有时候不太稳定，请大家见谅。

The internet is sometimes unstable, please excuse us.

Politeness: Used in a formal apology or explanation.

有时候我们需要换个角度看问题。

Sometimes we need to look at the problem from a different angle.

Phrase: 'huàn gè jiǎodù' (change an angle).

他有时候表现得很自信，有时候又很害羞。

He sometimes acts very confident, and other times very shy.

Verb: 'biǎoxiàn' (to manifest/act) modified by 'yǒu shí hou'.

有时候一点点关心就能改变一个人的心情。

Sometimes a little bit of care can change a person's mood.

Subject: 'yī diǎndiǎn guānxīn' (a little bit of care) is the subject.

在处理复杂问题时，有时候直觉比逻辑更重要。

When dealing with complex problems, sometimes intuition is more important than logic.

Context: 'zài... shí' (when/at the time of).

有时候，为了长远的发展，我们不得不做出牺牲。

Sometimes, for long-term development, we have no choice but to make sacrifices.

Phrase: 'bùdébù' (have no choice but to).

市场竞争有时候是非常残酷的。

Market competition is sometimes very cruel.

有时候，最了解你的人反而是你的对手。

Sometimes, the person who knows you best is actually your opponent.

Adverb: 'fǎn'ér' (on the contrary/actually).

历史有时候会惊人地相似。

History sometimes repeats itself in a startlingly similar way.

Adverbial: 'jīngrén de' (startlingly) modifying 'xiāngsì' (similar).

有时候，放弃也是一种智慧。

Sometimes, giving up is also a kind of wisdom.

Abstract: Using 'yǒu shí hou' to introduce a philosophical concept.

在翻译过程中，有时候很难找到完全对应的词。

In the process of translation, sometimes it's hard to find perfectly corresponding words.

Structure: 'hěn nán' (very hard) + verb phrase.

有时候，我们需要停下来听听内心的声音。

Sometimes, we need to stop and listen to the voice within.

Metaphor: 'nèixīn de shēngyīn' (the voice of the heart/inner voice).

在宏大的历史叙事中，个人的命运有时候显得微不足道。

In grand historical narratives, individual fates sometimes seem insignificant.

Idiom: 'wēi bù zú dào' (insignificant/not worth mentioning).

有时候，艺术的价值并不在于它的美感，而在于它引发的思考。

Sometimes, the value of art lies not in its beauty, but in the thought it provokes.

Structure: 'bù zàiyú... ér zàiyú...' (not lie in... but lie in...).

有时候，法律的严谨性与人情的灵活性之间存在着难以调和的矛盾。

Sometimes, there is an irreconcilable contradiction between the rigor of the law and the flexibility of human sentiment.

Complex Subject: A long noun phrase before 'yǒu shí hou'.

有时候，真相往往隐藏在那些被大众忽略的细节之中。

Sometimes, the truth is often hidden within the details ignored by the public.

Adverb: 'wǎngwǎng' (often) used alongside 'yǒu shí hou' for emphasis.

有时候，一个时代的终结往往是以一种悄无声息的方式完成的。

Sometimes, the end of an era is often completed in a quiet, stealthy manner.

Idiom: 'qiǎo wú shēng xī' (quietly/without a sound).

有时候，我们需要超越自我的局限，去拥抱更广阔的世界。

Sometimes, we need to transcend the limitations of the self to embrace a wider world.

Verb: 'chāoyuè' (to transcend/surpass).

在科学探索的道路上，有时候失败比成功更能带给我们启示。

On the path of scientific exploration, sometimes failure brings us more enlightenment than success.

Comparison: 'bǐ... gèng néng...' (more than... can...).

有时候，文字的张力来自于它所留下的空白。

Sometimes, the tension of text comes from the blanks it leaves behind.

Abstract: 'zhānglì' (tension) in a literary context.

有时候，这种看似偶然的现象背后，实则蕴含着某种必然的逻辑。

Sometimes, behind this seemingly accidental phenomenon, there actually lies a certain inevitable logic.

Contrast: 'kànsì' (seemingly) vs 'shízé' (actually).

有时候，对于权力的过度追求会使人性异化，导致悲剧的发生。

Sometimes, the excessive pursuit of power will alienate human nature, leading to the occurrence of tragedy.

Formal Verb: 'yìhuà' (to alienate/become estranged).

有时候，一种文化的消亡并非因为外力的摧毁，而是源于内在生命力的枯竭。

Sometimes, the demise of a culture is not because of external destruction, but stems from the exhaustion of internal vitality.

Structure: 'bìng fēi... ér shì...' (is not... but is...).

有时候，这种深沉的忧郁并非源于具体的痛苦，而是一种对存在本身的迷茫。

Sometimes, this deep melancholy does not stem from specific pain, but is a kind of confusion about existence itself.

Philosophical: 'cúnzài běnshēn' (existence itself).

有时候，在纷繁复杂的社会关系中，保持一份纯真显得尤为可贵。

Sometimes, in the midst of complicated social relations, maintaining a sense of innocence seems particularly precious.

Adverb: 'yóuwéi' (especially/particularly).

有时候，历史的转折点往往取决于一个微小的偶然事件。

Sometimes, the turning point of history often depends on a tiny accidental event.

Verb: 'qǔjué yú' (depends on).

有时候，这种跨越时空的情感共鸣，正是文学永恒魅力的源泉。

Sometimes, this emotional resonance that spans time and space is precisely the source of literature's eternal charm.

Phrase: 'kuàyuè shíkōng' (spanning time and space).

有时候，我们需要在孤独中审视自我，以获得灵魂的救赎。

Sometimes, we need to examine ourselves in solitude to achieve the salvation of the soul.

Formal: 'shěnshì' (to examine/scrutinize) and 'jiùshù' (salvation).

常见搭配

有时候会

有时候觉得

有时候想

有时候发现

有时候甚至

有时候只是

有时候不得不

有时候真的

有时候也会

有时候可能

常用短语

有时候... 有时候...

有时候也...

有时候真...

有时候不...

有时候是...

有时候需要...

有时候觉得...

有时候会想...

有时候甚至...

有时候只不过...

容易混淆的词

有时候 vs 有时间 (yǒu shíjiān)

Means 'to have time' (be free), not 'sometimes'.

有时候 vs 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)

Means 'when' (question), not 'sometimes'.

有时候 vs 有些时候 (yǒuxiē shíhou)

Means 'some times' or 'certain times', very similar but slightly more specific.

习语与表达

"时而不时"

From time to time; occasionally.

他时而不时地来看望我们。

Literary

"三不五时"

Very frequently; every now and then (common in Taiwan/Southern China).

他三不五时就请客。

Informal

"时好时坏"

Sometimes good, sometimes bad; fluctuating.

他的病情时好时坏。

Neutral

"时隐时现"

Sometimes visible, sometimes hidden.

月亮在云层中时隐时现。

Literary

"时断时续"

Intermittent; stopping and starting.

雨声时断时续。

Literary

"时过境迁"

Times change and circumstances alter (not using 'yǒu' but related to 'shí').

时过境迁，这里已经变了样。

Formal

"时不我待"

Time and tide wait for no man.

我们要抓紧时间，时不我待。

Formal

"时来运转"

A change in fortune; luck starts to turn.

他终于时来运转了。

Neutral

"曾几何时"

Before long; it wasn't long before.

曾几何时，他还是个孩子。

Literary

"千载一时"

A golden opportunity; once in a thousand years.

这是个千载一时的好机会。

Formal

容易混淆

有时候 vs 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr)

Both mean 'not always'.

偶尔 is much less frequent (occasionally) and more formal than 有时候.

我有时候去公园 (Sometimes) vs 我偶尔去公园 (Occasionally).

有时候 vs 时常 (shícháng)

Both describe frequency.

时常 is more frequent (often) than 有时候.

他时常迟到 (He often arrives late).

有时候 vs 总是 (zǒngshì)

Both are frequency adverbs.

总是 means 100% of the time, while 有时候 is roughly 30-50%.

他总是迟到 (He is always late).

有时候 vs 平时 (píngshí)

Both describe general habits.

平时 refers to what is normal or usual, while 有时候 refers to exceptions or variations.

我平时喝茶，但有时候喝咖啡。

有时候 vs 一会儿 (yīhuìr)

Both can describe alternating states.

一会儿 implies very rapid change (in a few minutes), while 有时候 implies longer intervals.

天气一会儿晴，一会儿阴。

句型

我有时候 + Verb

我有时候喝咖啡。

有时候 + Subject + Verb, 有时候 + Verb

有时候我喝茶，有时候喝咖啡。

虽然... 但是有时候...

虽然他很忙，但是有时候也会去运动。

有时候 + Noun Phrase + 显得 + Adjective

有时候这个决定显得很明智。

有时候，... 并不在于... 而在于...

有时候，成功并不在于结果，而在于过程。

有时候，... 实则蕴含着...

有时候，沉默实则蕴含着巨大的力量。

有时候 + Adjective

有时候很冷。

Subject + 有时候 + 不 + Verb

他有时候不吃午饭。

词族

名词

动词

如何使用

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and media.

常见错误

我喝茶有时候。 → 我有时候喝茶。
In Chinese, adverbs must come before the verb, not at the end of the sentence.
你有时候间吗？ → 你有时间吗？
'Yǒu shí hou' means 'sometimes'. 'Yǒu shíjiān' means 'to have time'.
有时候，有时候... → 有时候... 有时候...
Make sure to include the actions/states after each 'yǒu shí hou'.
他有时候不经常来。 → 他有时候来。
Using 'yǒu shí hou' and 'bù jīngcháng' together is redundant; both imply low/moderate frequency.
什么时候我去看你。 → 有时候我去看你。
'Shénme shíhou' is for questions ('When?'), 'yǒu shí hou' is for statements ('Sometimes').

小贴士

Placement Rule

Always place 'yǒu shí hou' before the verb. If you have a subject, it can go before or after the subject. Both 'Wǒ yǒu shí hou qù' and 'Yǒu shí hou wǒ qù' are correct.

Soften Your Tone

Use 'yǒu shí hou' to make your opinions sound less aggressive. Instead of saying 'You are wrong,' say 'Sometimes you are wrong' to be more polite.

Catch the Contrast

When you hear 'yǒu shí hou' at the start of a sentence, listen for a second 'yǒu shí hou' later in the sentence—the speaker is likely contrasting two things.

Parallelism

In essays, use '有时候... 有时候...' to describe complex situations. It shows a high level of language control.

Don't confuse with 'When'

Remember that 'shénme shíhou' is 'when' (question), while 'yǒu shí hou' is 'sometimes' (statement). Don't mix them up!

Balance

Using 'sometimes' reflects the Chinese cultural value of seeing both sides of a situation and avoiding extremes.

Neutral Tone

Keep the 'hou' short and light. If you stress it too much, it sounds unnatural.

Have Time

Literally 'Have (yǒu) time (shíhou)'. If you have time, you do it sometimes!

Short Version

Use 'yǒu shí' in text messages or emails to save time and sound more concise.

Hedging

In academic Chinese, use 'yǒu shí' to qualify your statements and avoid over-generalization.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'You (yǒu) see (shí) the hoe (hou).' You only see the hoe *sometimes* when you are gardening.

视觉联想

Imagine a clock where the hands only appear at certain intervals, then disappear. This represents 'having moments' of time.

Word Web

有 (Have) 时候 (Time) 经常 (Often) 偶尔 (Occasionally) 总是 (Always) 从不 (Never) 平时 (Usually) 有时 (Sometimes - short)

挑战

Try to write three sentences about your weekend using the '有时候... 有时候...' pattern. For example: 'Sometimes I sleep, sometimes I study.'

词源

The term is a compound of 'yǒu' (有 - to have) and 'shíhou' (时候 - time). In Old Chinese, 'shí' referred to the seasons or specific times for agriculture. 'Hou' originally meant to wait or observe. Together, they evolved to mean a specific point or period in time.

原始含义： Literally 'to have moments' or 'there are times.'

Sino-Tibetan

文化背景

There are no major sensitivities, but be aware that using 'yǒu shí hou' to describe someone's negative traits is more polite than using 'always' or 'often'.

English speakers often use 'sometimes' at the end of a sentence, which is a major error in Chinese. Learners must consciously move the word to the front.

The song '有时候' (Sometimes) by Rene Liu (刘若英). The phrase '有时候，放手也是一种爱' (Sometimes, letting go is also a kind of love) - a common romantic trope. The philosophical saying '有时候，慢就是快' (Sometimes, slow is fast).

在生活中练习

真实语境

Talking about habits

我有时候去游泳。
他有时候不吃晚饭。
我们有时候去旅行。
你有时候看报纸吗？

Describing the weather

有时候下雨。
有时候风很大。
这里有时候很热。
有时候会有雾。

Expressing feelings

我有时候觉得孤单。
他有时候很生气。
有时候我真想回家。
你有时候会难过吗？

At work

有时候我们需要加班。
网络有时候很慢。
有时候老板不在。
有时候会议很长。

Philosophical thoughts

有时候，少即是多。
有时候，我们需要等待。
有时候，生活很难。
有时候，放弃是好事。

对话开场白

"你有时候会想念家乡吗？ (Do you sometimes miss your hometown?)"

"你周末有时候去哪里玩？ (Where do you sometimes go for fun on weekends?)"

"你觉得有时候一个人待着好吗？ (Do you think it's good to be alone sometimes?)"

"汉语有时候让你觉得头疼吗？ (Does Chinese sometimes give you a headache?)"

"你有时候会自己做饭吗？ (Do you sometimes cook for yourself?)"

日记主题

写一写你有时候喜欢做，但并不经常做的事情。 (Write about things you sometimes like to do but don't do often.)

描述一下你家乡的天气，用“有时候... 有时候...”的句式。 (Describe the weather in your hometown using the 'sometimes... sometimes...' pattern.)

你觉得有时候犯错对学习有帮助吗？为什么？ (Do you think making mistakes sometimes helps with learning? Why?)

写一写你有时候会产生的一些奇怪的想法。 (Write about some strange thoughts you sometimes have.)

描述一个你认识的人，说说他有时候的表现。 (Describe someone you know and talk about how they sometimes behave.)

常见问题

10 个问题

No, in Chinese, adverbs like 'yǒu shí hou' must always come before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence. Putting it at the end is a common mistake for English speakers.

'Yǒu shí' is a shortened, more formal version of 'yǒu shí hou.' You will see 'yǒu shí' more in books and news, while 'yǒu shí hou' is more common in daily speech.

You use the pattern '有时候... 有时候...' For example: '有时候下雨，有时候不下雨' (Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn't).

Yes, 'yǒu shí hou' (sometimes) implies a higher frequency than 'ǒu'ěr' (occasionally/rarely).

Yes, it can be used for any time frame. For example: '我以前有时候去那里' (I sometimes went there before).

You can say '有的时候' (yǒu de shíhou), which is slightly more informal, but '有时候' is the standard and most common form.

You can say '你有时候会...吗？' (Nǐ yǒu shí hou huì... ma?).

Yes, it can. For example: '他有时候很懒' (He is sometimes very lazy).

There isn't one single opposite, but '总是' (always) or '从来不' (never) represent the extremes.

Yes, but '有时' is often preferred for brevity in very formal or academic contexts.