yǒushíhou: 有时候 - Sometimes, At Times

• Keywords: 有时候, youshihou, sometimes in Chinese, how to say sometimes in Mandarin, Chinese adverb of frequency, 有的时候, 有时, 偶尔, Chinese grammar sometimes, HSK 2 vocabulary.
• Summary: “有时候” (yǒushíhou) is the most common and essential way to say “sometimes” in Mandarin Chinese. As a fundamental adverb of frequency (HSK 2), it's used to describe actions, feelings, or situations that happen occasionally. This guide will break down its meaning, show you how to use it in everyday conversation with practical examples, and clarify its nuances compared to similar words like “偶尔” (ǒu'ěr), helping you express yourself more naturally in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǒushíhou
• Part of Speech: Adverb (of frequency)
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: It means “sometimes,” “at times,” or “on occasion.”
• In a Nutshell: “有时候” is your go-to word for expressing that something doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen. It sits comfortably in the middle between “always” (总是 zǒngshì) and “never” (从来不 cónglái bù). Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of adding “sometimes” to a sentence to describe your habits, the weather, or your feelings with more accuracy.

• 有 (yǒu): The core meaning is “to have” or “there is/are.” It signifies existence.
• 时 (shí): This character means “time,” “moment,” or “period.”
• 候 (hòu): On its own, this can mean “to wait,” but it frequently pairs with 时 to form the word 时候 (shíhou), which means “time; moment; when.”

Putting them together, 有 (yǒu) + 时候 (shíhou) literally translates to “to have times” or “there are times when…” This paints a clear picture of its meaning: out of all the moments in time, there *are* moments when something occurs.

While “sometimes” is a universal concept, the frequent and often subtle use of “有时候” can reflect a certain aspect of Chinese communication culture. In many Western cultures, direct and absolute statements are often valued for their clarity. In contrast, Chinese culture often prioritizes harmony, modesty, and leaving room for ambiguity to avoid being overly assertive or absolute. Using “有时候” can be a way to soften a statement, making it less confrontational or more humble. For instance, instead of a stark “I don't like spicy food,” a speaker might say “我有时候不太能吃辣” (Wǒ yǒushíhou bù tài néng chī là) - “Sometimes I can't really handle spicy food.” This phrasing is gentler, more flexible, and leaves open the possibility that on another occasion, their preference might be different. It reflects a worldview that is often less black-and-white and more attuned to the changing nature of situations and feelings.

“有时候” is an extremely common word used in all registers of spoken Mandarin, from casual chats with friends to more formal discussions. Its placement in a sentence is flexible but follows a key rule: it comes before the verb. It can be placed either at the very beginning of the sentence for emphasis or after the subject.

• After the subject (most common): Subject + 有时候 + Verb Phrase.
  • `我 有时候 喝茶。` (Wǒ yǒushíhou hē chá.) - I sometimes drink tea.
• Before the subject (for emphasis): 有时候 + Subject + Verb Phrase.
  • `有时候，天气会突然变冷。` (Yǒushíhou, tiānqì huì tūrán biàn lěng.) - Sometimes, the weather will suddenly turn cold.

The variant 有的时候 (yǒu de shíhou) is also very common in spoken language and is completely interchangeable with “有时候”.

• Example 1:
  • 我有时候周末会去爬山。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǒushíhou zhōumò huì qù páshān.
  • English: I sometimes go mountain climbing on the weekends.
  • Analysis: A simple statement about a hobby or habit. This is a very typical use of the word.
• Example 2:
  • 有时候，我觉得学中文很有意思，有时候觉得很难。
  • Pinyin: Yǒushíhou, wǒ juéde xué Zhōngwén hěn yǒu yìsi, yǒushíhou juéde hěn nán.
  • English: Sometimes I feel learning Chinese is very interesting, and sometimes I feel it's very hard.
  • Analysis: This shows how “有时候” can be used to contrast two different states or feelings about the same subject.
• Example 3:
  • 他看起来很高兴，但有时候也会感到孤独。
  • Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái hěn gāoxìng, dàn yǒushíhou yě huì gǎndào gūdú.
  • English: He looks very happy, but sometimes he also feels lonely.
  • Analysis: Here, “但 (dàn)” which means “but,” is used with “有时候” to reveal a deeper or contrasting truth about a person.
• Example 4:
  • 这里的网络有时候不太稳定。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de wǎngluò yǒushíhou bù tài wěndìng.
  • English: The internet here is sometimes not very stable.
  • Analysis: A common way to describe a situation or service that is inconsistent.
• Example 5:
  • 你有时候会不会想家？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒushíhou huì bu huì xiǎngjiā?
  • English: Do you sometimes miss home?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to use “有时候” in a question. The “会不” structure is a common way to ask yes/no questions about potential actions.
• Example 6:
  • 妈妈有时候做的菜太咸了。
  • Pinyin: Māma yǒushíhou zuò de cài tài xián le.
  • English: Sometimes the food mom makes is too salty.
  • Analysis: This is a gentle way to offer a mild complaint or observation without being overly critical.
• Example 7:
  • 我们有时候下班以后一起去吃饭。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǒushíhou xiàbān yǐhòu yìqǐ qù chīfàn.
  • English: We sometimes go out to eat together after work.
  • Analysis: Describes an irregular group activity or social habit.
• Example 8:
  • 就算很忙，他有时候也会给我打电话。
  • Pinyin: Jiùsuàn hěn máng, tā yǒushíhou yě huì gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
  • English: Even if he's very busy, he will still sometimes give me a call.
  • Analysis: The structure “就算…也…” (jiùsuàn…yě…) means “even if… still…” and works well with “有时候” to show an action that happens despite circumstances.
• Example 9:
  • 我有的时候喜欢一个人安安静静地看书。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǒu de shíhou xǐhuān yí ge rén ān'ānjìngjìng de kàn shū.
  • English: I sometimes like to read a book quietly by myself.
  • Analysis: This example uses the variant “有的时候 (yǒu de shíhou),” which has the exact same meaning and usage as “有时候”.
• Example 10:
  • 这家商店有时候会打折，有时候不打折。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn yǒushíhou huì dǎzhé, yǒushíhou bù dǎzhé.
  • English: This store sometimes has discounts, and sometimes it doesn't.
  • Analysis: Perfect for describing inconsistent policies, prices, or situations.

• `有时候` vs. `偶尔` (ǒu'ěr): This is a key distinction.
  • 有时候 (yǒushíhou) means “sometimes” and implies a moderate, but not high, frequency. (e.g., I sometimes go to the gym - maybe once or twice a week).
  • 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) means “occasionally” or “once in a while,” and implies a lower frequency. (e.g., I occasionally go to the gym - maybe once or twice a month).
  • Using `偶尔` when you mean `有时候` can understate how often something happens.
• `有时候` vs. `有时` (yǒushí):
  • `有时候` is the standard, most common form, especially in spoken Chinese.
  • `有时` is a slightly more concise, formal, or literary version. You'll see it more in writing. For a beginner, sticking with `有时候` is always a safe bet.
• Common Mistake: Incorrect Sentence Placement
  • English speakers often try to place “sometimes” at the end of a sentence, which is grammatically incorrect in Chinese.
  • Incorrect: `我去看电影有时候。` (Wǒ qù kàn diànyǐng yǒushíhou.)
  • Correct: `我有时候去看电影。` (Wǒ yǒushíhou qù kàn diànyǐng.)
  • Rule of Thumb: Always place `有时候` before the main verb or action.

• Antonyms (words for higher frequency):
  • 常常 (chángcháng) - Often, frequently. A direct antonym.
  • 经常 (jīngcháng) - Frequently, regularly. A synonym for `常常`.
  • 总是 (zǒngshì) - Always. The strongest adverb of high frequency.
  • 平时 (píngshí) - Normally, usually. Used to describe a normal state, which can be contrasted with what happens “有时候”.
• Synonyms & Similar Concepts:
  • 有时 (yǒushí) - A slightly more formal, written synonym for “sometimes.”
  • 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) - “Occasionally,” “once in a while.” Implies a lower frequency than `有时候`.
  • 有的时候 (yǒu de shíhou) - A common spoken variant that is completely interchangeable with `有时候`.
• Antonyms (words for lower/no frequency):
  • 很少 (hěn shǎo) - Seldom, rarely.
  • 从来不 (cónglái bù) - Never (used for actions).
  • 从来没 (cónglái méi) - Never (used for past experiences).