Meaning and Usage
The adverb '때로' means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally' in English. It is used to express that something happens at certain times but not always. It often implies variability or exceptions in frequency.
Common Contexts
'때로' is frequently used in everyday conversation to describe occasional actions, feelings, or situations. It can appear in both formal and informal contexts without changing its meaning.
Collocations and Patterns
- 때로는 + [clause]: Used to introduce a situation that happens occasionally.
- 때로 + verb: Indicates that the action happens sometimes.
- 때로는 혼자: emphasizing the need for solitude occasionally.
Nuances and Tips
Using '때로' suggests that the event or feeling is not constant but happens intermittently. It is different from '항상' (always) or '자주' (often). Learners sometimes confuse '때로' with '가끔' (sometimes), but '때로' often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.
Common Mistake
Avoid using '때로' with frequency adverbs that imply regularity like '매일' (every day) or '항상' (always), as it contradicts the meaning of '때로'.