In Chinese culture, “chance” is often viewed with more philosophical depth than in the West. An event described as 偶然 (ǒurán) isn't always dismissed as purely random. It is frequently linked to the profound concept of 缘分 (yuánfèn) — a kind of binding force or destiny that brings people together. For example, a Westerner might say, “It was a complete coincidence that we met.” A Chinese person might express a similar sentiment using 偶然, but the underlying feeling could be, “Our meeting was an 偶然 event, which shows we have 缘分.” The chance event is seen as the *mechanism* through which fate is revealed. This contrasts with the Western view of “coincidence,” which is often seen as a meaningless, purely statistical anomaly. In China, a 偶然 encounter, especially a positive one, can feel significant, as if guided by a subtle, unseen order. It acknowledges the lack of human planning while leaving room for a sense of destiny.
偶然 (ǒurán) is versatile and used in both spoken and written Chinese, though it's considered slightly more formal than some of its synonyms.
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 偶然 (ǒurán) and 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo).