碰巧 (pèng qiǎo) / 恰巧 (qià qiǎo) — coincidence

Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase

HSK 7–93.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what碰巧恰巧Action

Rule structure

Both adverbs come before the verb phrase and introduce a chance coincidence. 恰巧 (qià qiǎo) more often highlights a lucky fit with the moment or condition, but the coincidence is still accidental. Both are colloquial; 恰巧 (qià qiǎo) sounds slightly more formal.

Rule structure

Examples

我去找他，碰巧他不在。

Wǒ qù zhǎo tā, pèngqiǎo tā bú zài.

I went to see him, but as it happened, he wasn't in.

Examples

我去找他，碰巧他不在。

Wǒ qù zhǎo tā, pèngqiǎo tā bú zài.

I went to see him, but as it happened, he wasn't in.

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Words from this rule

碰

pèng

To bump into, to meet by chance

巧

qiǎo

Skillful, lucky

恰巧

qià qiǎo

Coincidentally, by chance

我

wǒ

I, me

去

qù

To go

找

zhǎo

To look for, to turn to someone, to give change

他

tā

不

bù

No, not

在

zài

To be at/in, to exist

路过

lù guò

Pass by

就

jiù

Immediately, exactly, then, and... (adverb)

进来

jìn lái

To come in (toward the speaker)

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “coincidence” in Chinese with 碰巧 / 恰巧?

Use the structure: Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase. For example: 我去找他，碰巧他不在。 — “I went to see him, but as it happened, he wasn't in”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我去找他，碰巧他不在。 — “I went to see him, but as it happened, he wasn't in”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.

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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules

向来 — always previously

Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.

偏 — contrary to expectations

Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

何必 — why bother

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

按理 — logically speaking

按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)

不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement

不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)

照常 — as usual

Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb

反倒 — on the contrary

Subj. + 反倒 (fǎndào) + Verb / Adj. (result opposite to expectation)