碰巧 (pèng qiǎo) — by chance; by coincidence; to happen to

Definition

碰巧 means 'by coincidence / it happened that' — strongly emphasizes chance. Pairs more naturally with 恰好/恰巧 ('just right; by lucky coincidence') than with 正好, which leans toward 'conveniently / just in time'.

adverb
by chanceby coincidenceto happen to

Examples

  • 碰巧
    Wǒ pèng qiǎo zài tú shū guǎn yù dào le tā.
    I happened to run into her at the library.
  • 碰巧
    Tā pèng qiǎo zhī dào nà ge wèn tí de dá àn.
    He happens to know the answer to that question.
  • 碰巧
    pèng qiǎo Nà tiān wǒ yě qù le nà jiā cān tīng.
    Coincidentally, I also went to that restaurant that day.

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