一再 · 再三 · 偶尔
again and again (一再, 再三); now and then (偶尔)
Structure
主语 + 一再／再三 + 动词 · 动词 + 再三 · 主语 + 偶尔 + 动词
What it means
一再 and 再三 both mean “again and again”. 偶尔 means “now and then”, the opposite of 经常.
How it is built
Subject + 一再／再三／偶尔 + verb: 老师再三提醒我们别迟到 (the teacher reminded us over and over not to be late). 再三 can also follow a verb: 考虑再三 (after thinking it over and over).
When to use it
再三 is mostly for what people say or think (再三提醒, 考虑再三). 一再 also fits things that keep happening: 一再推迟 (put off again and again). 偶尔 marks something that happens only now and then.
Watch out
偶尔 goes before the verb, not at the end like English “sometimes”: ✗ 我喝咖啡偶尔。 ✓ 我偶尔喝咖啡。 Only 再三 can follow the verb: ✗ 考虑一再 ✓ 考虑再三.
Examples
快递公司一再说对不起。
The courier company apologised again and again.
老师再三提醒我们别迟到。
The teacher reminded us over and over not to be late.
我考虑再三，还是决定回国。
After thinking it over and over, I decided to go back to my country after all.
我平时坐地铁，偶尔打车。
I usually take the underground, and now and then a taxi.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 9: 寄快递 (Sending a parcel)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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