verb / noun HSK 5
ǒu
to meet by chance · to encounter unexpectedly · chance encounter

Meaning

偶遇 describes an unexpected meeting or encounter with someone, typically someone you know but weren't planning to see. It emphasizes the accidental, unplanned nature of the meeting and is commonly used when bumping into acquaintances, friends, or even strangers in unexpected places.

Usage

This word is frequently used in everyday conversation and writing to describe serendipitous meetings. It carries a slightly literary or refined tone compared to casual phrases like 碰到 or 遇见. Often used in romantic contexts or when recounting interesting coincidences. Common pattern: 偶遇 + person/object.

Examples

  1. 01
    我昨天在咖啡馆偶遇了多年未见的大学同学。
    zuótiān zài kāfēi guǎn ǒu le duō nián wèi jiàn de dàxué tóngxué.
    Yesterday I ran into a college classmate I hadn't seen in years at a coffee shop.
  2. 02
    他们的爱情故事始于一次浪漫的偶遇
    Tāmen de àiqíng gùshì shǐ làngmàn de ǒu .
    Their love story began with a romantic chance encounter.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一次偶遇

Common collocations

  • 偶遇老友
    ǒu lǎo yǒu
    to bump into an old friend
  • 街头偶遇
    jiē tóu ǒu
    to meet by chance on the street
  • 偶遇惊喜
    ǒu jīng
    pleasant surprise encounter

Antonyms

Origin

偶 originally meant 'pair' or 'mate' but evolved to mean 'accidental' or 'occasional.' 遇 has consistently meant 'to meet' or 'encounter.' Together they form a compound emphasizing the chance nature of a meeting.

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