ngau5 ji5偶爾偶尔
Jyutpingngau5 ji5
Yalengáuh yíh
Definition
Occasionally; once in a while; not habitually.
colloquialtime
How it's used
While 偶爾 is perfectly acceptable in spoken Cantonese, native speakers often prefer the more colloquial phrase 間唔中 to convey the same meaning. Using 偶爾 can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary, similar to how one might use 'occasionally' versus 'sometimes' in English. It is frequently used in contexts where you want to emphasize that an action is not part of a regular routine.
Examples
I occasionally go to the library to read books.
Do you feel bored once in a while?
Related words
Common phrases
once in a blue moon
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 偶爾 for a synonym of 經常, but it specifically denotes low frequency. Avoid using it to describe habitual actions, as it directly contradicts the idea of regularity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
