Translation guide
Expresses that something happens accidentally, without planning, or as a coincidence. Japanese uses adverbs, phrases, and verb forms to convey this nuance.
I met him by chance.
Are you Ms. Suzuki, by any chance?
The speaker did something without planning or intending to do it.
The most common and neutral way to say 'by chance' or 'accidentally'. Used for both positive and negative events.
I met him at the station by chance.
Very common in casual speech. Emphasizes that something happened coincidentally, often with a nuance of 'it just so happened'.
Used when an action occurs suddenly and without conscious thought, often for noticing or thinking something.
Doing something casually or without much thought, often leading to an unexpected result.
Two events occur at the same time or in a related way without being planned.
A slightly more emphatic form of 偶然, often used in storytelling or when highlighting a surprising coincidence.
Used in questions to ask if something is possible, often with a sense of hope or uncertainty.
Describes an action that occurs without prior intention, often using verb forms.
Indicates an action done unintentionally or with a sense of regret. The casual form is 〜ちゃう.
たまたま通りかかっただけです。
I just happened to be passing by.
When I happened to look out the window, it was snowing.
A remark I made casually hurt his feelings.
Coincidentally, we were staying at the same hotel.
Also used for coincidences in casual contexts. Can be used interchangeably with 偶然 in many situations.
We happened to be on the same train.
Means 'fortunately' or 'by good timing'. Used when a coincidence is beneficial.
Fortunately, a taxi happened to pass by.
The most common way to say 'by any chance' in questions. Casual and widely used.
Are you Mr. Tanaka, by any chance?
Similar to もしかして, but can sound slightly more speculative or less confident.
Did you get lost, by any chance?
A literary or old-fashioned way to say 'by any chance'. Often used in dramatic or humorous contexts.
Could you be the legendary hero, by any chance?
I happened to overeat (without meaning to).
I ended up telling the secret.
Expresses that a situation has been decided or has turned out a certain way, often beyond one's control.
I will be transferred to Osaka next month (it's been decided).
I met him by chance.
English 'by chance' can be a direct adverb or part of a question. Japanese uses different expressions for statements vs. questions. For questions, use もしかして or ひょっとして, not 偶然.