English–Japanese

“by chance” in Japanese

Japanese

Alsoたまたま (tamatama)

Pronunciation

Romajigūzen

Example

私たちが会ったのは偶然です。watashi ta chi ga a tta no wa gū zen de su

We met by chance.

Illustration for 偶然 (by chance)

How to say “by chance” in Japanese

“By chance” in Japanese is 偶然 (gūzen).

It marks something as resulting from circumstances rather than intention, prediction, or a deliberate connection.

Full entry for 偶然: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 偶然

旅行先で偶然に昔の友達と再会しました。ryo kō saki de gū zen ni mukashi no tomo dachi to sai kai shi ma shi ta

I happened to meet an old friend again while traveling.

Tips for using 偶然

  • In everyday conversation, 偶然 (gūzen) commonly describes an unplanned meeting or discovery that stands out as unexpected.

Other Japanese words for “by chance”

たまたま駅で友達に会いました。ta ma ta ma eki de tomo dachi ni a i ma shi ta

I met my friend at the station by chance.

“by chance” in other languages