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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "contrarily" with 偏偏 (piānpiān)

    HSK 5
    Comparison
    Emphasis

    Structure

    Subject + 偏偏 + Unexpected Action/Result

    Explanation

    偏偏 (piānpiān) means "contrarily," "just so happens," or "insistently" and expresses that something happened contrary to expectations or wishes. It can describe an unfortunate coincidence or a person's stubborn insistence on doing the opposite of what is expected. The word carries a strong tone of frustration, irony, or defiance.

    Examples

    • 我特意带了伞,偏偏今天没下雨。

      Wǒ tèyì dàile sǎn, piānpiān jīntiān méi xià yǔ.

      I deliberately brought an umbrella, but it just so happened that it didn't rain today.

    • 大家都觉得他会赢,偏偏最后一轮输了。

      Dàjiā dōu juéde tā huì yíng, piānpiān zuìhòu yì lún shū le.

      Everyone thought he would win, but he lost in the final round against all expectations.

    • 我让他别去,他偏偏不听。

      Wǒ ràng tā bié qù, tā piānpiān bù tīng.

      I told him not to go, but he stubbornly refused to listen.