Japanese word

たまたま

Pronunciation

Romajitamatama

Meaning

  • adverbby chance

Example

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.

Illustration for たまたま (by chance)

More examples

店でたまたま好きな作家の本を見つけました。mise de ta ma ta ma su ki na sak ka no hon o mi tsu ke ma shi ta

I happened to find a book by my favorite author at the store.

Core concept

Describes something that happens without being planned or expected, often through coincidence.

Common phrases

  • たまたま見つけるta ma ta ma mi tsu ke ru

    happen to find

  • たまたま会うta ma ta ma a u

    happen to meet

  • たまたま聞くta ma ta ma ki ku

    happen to hear

Similar words

偶然gūzen: It describes something that happens when separate circumstances meet without intention.

Definition in Japanese

意図していないのに、偶然に物事が起こるさま。i to shi te i na i no ni gū zen ni mono goto ga o ko ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adverb たまたま (tamatama) is traditionally linked to the reduplication of たま (tama, "occasionally"), although its exact historical formation remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, by chance often describes an unexpected meeting, while accidentally more often describes an unintended action or result.

Other meanings

  • accidentallyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word