adverb HSK 3
Traditional 有時
sometimes · occasionally · at times
Meaning
有时 is a common adverb meaning 'sometimes' or 'occasionally.' It indicates that an action or state occurs intermittently or from time to time, rather than always or never. The word combines 有 (to have) and 时 (time), literally meaning 'to have times (when something happens).'
Usage
有时 typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, before the subject or verb. It describes habitual or recurring situations that don't happen all the time. Native speakers often pair it with 有时...有时... to contrast two alternating situations. It's neutral in register and suitable for both spoken and written Chinese.
Examples
- 01我有时周末去爬山。.I sometimes go hiking on weekends.
- 02她有时很安静，有时很活泼。, .She is sometimes very quiet, and sometimes very lively.
Characters
Common collocations
- 有时...有时...... ...sometimes... sometimes...
- 有时会sometimes will/would
Antonyms
Origin
The word literally means 'have time' or 'there are times,' reflecting the idea of something happening at certain moments but not others.