HSK 6
时而...时而... (shí'ér...shí'ér) in Chinese
时而...时而... describes two or more actions, states, or directions that alternate from time to time. Each 时而 directly introduces one alternating member, and a shared subject normally appears before the first marker. The expression is more compact and somewhat more written than 有时...有时..., but it does not require perfectly regular intervals.
STRUCTURE
Subject + 时而 + A, 时而 + B
When to use 时而…时而… — and when not
Use it when
- For alternating weather states: 山里的天气时而晴朗，时而下雨。
- For repeated changes in action: 他时而低头记录，时而抬头提问。
- For movement between directions or qualities: 灯光时而明亮，时而昏暗。
Don't use it when
- For two simultaneous qualities; use 又...又... or both predicates without an alternating marker.
- Do not stack two 时而 markers before the first alternating member.
- Do not infer an exact schedule; 时而 describes intermittent alternation, not regular timing.
Right vs. wrong
山里的天气时而时而晴朗，下雨。
山里的天气时而晴朗，时而下雨。
Both 时而 markers are stacked before the first state
Each 时而 must introduce one alternating state: the first marks 晴朗 and the second marks 下雨.
灯光时而明亮，昏暗时而。
灯光时而明亮，时而昏暗。
The second 时而 is placed after its predicate
时而 precedes the state it introduces, so the second member must be 时而 + 昏暗.
Examples
山里的天气时而晴朗，时而下雨。
Shānlǐ de tiānqì shí'ér qínglǎng, shí'ér xiàyǔ.
The mountain weather is sunny at times and rainy at others.
他时而低头记录，时而抬头提问。
Tā shí'ér dītóu jìlù, shí'ér táitóu tíwèn.
He alternately looked down to take notes and looked up to ask questions.
灯光时而明亮，时而昏暗。
Dēngguāng shí'ér míngliàng, shí'ér hūn'àn.
The light alternated between bright and dim.
Common mistakes
山里的天气时而时而晴朗，下雨。
Shānlǐ de tiānqì shí'ér shí'ér qínglǎng, xiàyǔ.
Use one 时而 before each state: 时而晴朗，时而下雨。
灯光时而明亮，昏暗时而。
Dēngguāng shí'ér míngliàng, hūn'àn shí'ér.
Put the second 时而 before 昏暗: 时而昏暗。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 时而…时而… sentence and check that grammar point first.
时而...时而... (shí'ér...shí'ér) FAQ
What is the difference between 时而...时而... and 有时...有时...?
Both can describe intermittent alternatives. 时而 is more compact and often more written, while 有时 is common in everyday speech; neither requires exact regularity.
Can 时而...时而... describe more than two states?
Yes. Additional 时而 phrases can be added when several states alternate, provided each marker clearly introduces its own member.