Usage note
偶尔表示有时候，不经常。
ǒu ěr biǎo shì yǒu shí hòu， bù jīng cháng。
Occasionally means sometimes, not often.
Context note
偶尔常出现在习惯、天气和生活方式里。
ǒu ěr cháng chū xiàn zài xí guàn 、 tiān qì hé shēng huó fāng shì lǐ。
Occasionally often appears with habits, weather, and lifestyle.
5 examples
我偶尔去公园。
wǒ ǒu ěr qù gōng yuán。
I occasionally go to the park.
他偶尔迟到。
tā ǒu ěr chí dào。
He is occasionally late.
偶尔吃一点零食。
ǒu ěr chī yì diǎn líng shí。
Occasionally eat a little snack.
天气偶尔会变冷。
tiān qì ǒu ěr huì biàn lěng。
The weather occasionally gets cold.
我偶尔看电影。
wǒ ǒu ěr kàn diàn yǐng。
I occasionally watch movies.
5 mini stories
我偶尔会去车站旁边的小店买水。
wǒ ǒu ěr huì qù chē zhàn páng biān de xiǎo diàn mǎi shuǐ。
I occasionally go to the small shop by the station to buy water.
妈妈说偶尔吃点好吃的也可以。
mā ma shuō ǒu ěr chī diǎn hǎo chī de yě kě yǐ。
Mom said eating something tasty occasionally is okay.
他偶尔会来我们家玩。
tā ǒu ěr huì lái wǒ men jiā wán。
He occasionally comes to our house to play.
偶尔下雨的时候，我们就在屋里看书。
ǒu ěr xià yǔ de shí hòu， wǒ men jiù zài wū lǐ kàn shū。
When it rains occasionally, we read books indoors.
我偶尔会忘记带铅笔，但现在好多了。
wǒ ǒu ěr huì wàng jì dài qiān bǐ， dàn xiàn zài hǎo duō le。
I occasionally forget to bring a pencil, but now it is much better.
Mini dialogue
吃冰淇淋
A
你经常吃冰淇淋吗？
Nǐ jīngcháng chī bīngqílín ma?
Do you often eat ice cream?
B
不经常，我只是偶尔吃一次。
Bù jīngcháng, wǒ zhǐshì ǒu'ěr chī yī cì.
Not often, I only eat it occasionally.
看电视
A
你每天看电视吗？
Nǐ měitiān kàn diànshì ma?
Do you watch TV every day?
B
不是，我偶尔在周末看一会儿。
Bù shì, wǒ ǒu'ěr zài zhōumò kàn yīhuìr.
No, I occasionally watch a little on weekends.
Related words and contrasts
similar
有时
yǒu shí
sometimes
有时 means sometimes, very close to 偶尔 (occasionally).
contrast
经常
jīng cháng
often
经常 means often, which is more frequent than 偶尔 (occasionally).
opposite
从不
cóng bù
never
从不 means never, the opposite of 偶尔 (occasionally).