不时
bù shí
From time to time, occasionally
不时 (bù shí) vs 仍旧 (réng jiù) — still and from time to time
不时 (bùshí) + Verb — "from time to time"; 仍旧 (réngjiù) / 依旧 (yījiù) + Verb/Adj. — "still, as before"
HSK 63.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what不时Action
Who / what仍旧依旧Action
Rule structure
不时 (bùshí) describes a recurring action, “from time to time”, and usually precedes a verbal predicate. 仍旧 (réngjiù) and 依旧 (yījiù) mean “still, as before” and can precede a verb or adjective. 依旧 (yī jiù) sounds slightly more literary.
Rule structure
不时 (bùshí) describes a recurring action, “from time to time”, and usually precedes a verbal predicate. 仍旧 (réngjiù) and 依旧 (yījiù) mean “still, as before” and can precede a verb or adjective. 依旧 (yī jiù) sounds slightly more literary.
Examples
他仍旧住在那儿，不时看看窗外。
Tā réngjiù zhù zài nàr, bùshí kànkan chuāngwài.
He still lives there and glances out the window from time to time.
Examples
他仍旧住在那儿，不时看看窗外。
Tā réngjiù zhù zài nàr, bùshí kànkan chuāngwài.
He still lives there and glances out the window from time to time.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “still and from time to time” in Chinese with 不时 vs 仍旧?
Use the structure: 不时 (bùshí) + Verb — "from time to time"; 仍旧 (réngjiù) / 依旧 (yījiù) + Verb/Adj. — "still, as before". For example: 他仍旧住在那儿，不时看看窗外。 — “He still lives there and glances out the window from time to time”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他仍旧住在那儿，不时看看窗外。 — “He still lives there and glances out the window from time to time”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 6.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 6 grammar rules
再三 — over and over again
再三 (zàisān) + Verb Phrase
好不容易 — difficulty, “finally”
好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase
一再 — again and again
一再 (yízài) + Verb Phrase
凡是 — all, every
凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb
干脆 — just do it
干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase
一向 — always been
Subj. + 一向 (yíxiàng) + Verb / Adj.
一时 vs 一度 — temporary vs once
一时 (yìshí): temporary (moment) / 一度 (yídù): once (period in past)
一直 vs 一向 — always vs consistently
一直 (yìzhí): continuously (from past to present) / 一向 (yíxiàng): consistently (habit)