By chance
Core words, Stage 2chunk 71 of 80Adverbs: manner and certainty
Lets you talk about luck, coincidence and unlikely possibilities.
- guuzenby chance; coincidence
- tamatamaby chance; happened to
- mangaichiif by some chance; in the unlikely event
- hyotto shiteby any chance; maybe
Mix-ups Tamatama sounds like tama ni, 'occasionally'.
guuzen
by chance; coincidence
Works as 'by chance' and as the noun 'a coincidence': guuzen da ne! is 'what a coincidence!'.
Tamatama means much the same and is softer and more casual.
eki de guuzen sensei ni atta.
I ran into my teacher at the station by chance.
駅で偶然先生に会った。
eki de guuzen sensei ni aimashita.
I happened to run into my teacher at the station.
駅で偶然先生に会いました。
Written 偶然 · ぐうぜんRank #1011 in 3,030 TV dramas
tamatama
by chance; happened to
Casual way to say something came about by luck, often to play it down.
Don't confuse with tama ni, 'occasionally'.
tamatama chikaku ni ita kara.
I just happened to be nearby.
たまたま近くにいたから。
tamatama chikaku ni ita n desu.
I just happened to be in the area.
たまたま近くにいたんです。
Written たまたまRank #1139 in 3,030 TV dramas
mangaichi
if by some chance; in the unlikely event
For a rare worst case you're preparing for, usually with -tara or no toki.
Literally 'one in ten thousand'; mangaichi no toki means 'in an emergency'.
mangaichi okuretara, renraku shite.
If by some chance you're late, let me know.
万が一遅れたら、連絡して。
mangaichi okuretara, renraku shite kudasai.
Should you be late, please let me know.
万が一遅れたら、連絡してください。
Written 万が一 · まんがいちRank #2344 in 3,030 TV dramas
hyotto shite
by any chance; maybe
Opens a hesitant guess or question, often when you suspect something.
Moshikashite means the same and is more common.
hyotto shite, okotteru?
Are you angry, by any chance?
ひょっとして、怒ってる?
hyotto shite, okotte imasu ka?
Are you upset, by any chance?
ひょっとして、怒っていますか?
Written ひょっとしてRank #2612 in 3,030 TV dramas