Definition
不时 (bù shí) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'from time to time, occasionally', often used in written narratives. It is more formal than 偶尔 (ǒu ěr, 'occasionally') and less general than 有时 (yǒu shí, 'sometimes'). Unlike 时常 (shí cháng, 'often'), 不时 implies irregular, infrequent intervals.
from time to timeoccasionally
Easily confused
- 不适bù shìsound-alikeunwell, indisposed, not feeling well
- 捕食bǔ shísound-aliketo prey on, to catch and feed on
Examples
- 不时。Tā bù shí huì lái túshūguǎn kàn shū.He comes to the library to read from time to time.
- 不时。Chuāng wài bù shí chuán lái niǎo jiào shēng.From time to time, the sound of birds comes from outside the window.
- 不时。Wǒmen bù shí jù zài yìqǐ liáo tiān.We get together and chat occasionally.
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