偶尔 (ǒu ěr) is an adverb meaning 'occasionally' or 'once in a while'. It describes actions or events that happen infrequently and irregularly—not on a set schedule, but sporadically. Though the character 偶 originally means 'even number' or 'coincidence', and 尔 is an archaic pronoun ('you' or 'thus'), together they form a fixed compound expressing rarity and unpredictability. The word carries a neutral, slightly literary tone and is common in both spoken and written Chinese.

It typically appears before a verb or adjective in sentence-initial or mid-sentence position, often followed by verbs like 去 (go), 吃 (eat), or 看 (watch). Unlike frequency adverbs such as 经常 (often) or 总是 (always), 偶尔 implies no routine—it highlights exception rather than habit. It’s frequently used in personal routines, habits, or lifestyle descriptions, especially when contrasting with more regular behavior.