B1 adverb Neutral

우연히

[ujʌ̹ni]

By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.

Examples

3 of 5
1

우연히 라디오에서 그 노래를 들었어요.

I happened to hear that song on the radio.

2

본 발견은 실험 도중 우연히 이루어졌습니다.

This discovery was made by chance during an experiment.

3

어제 우연히 너 봤어!

I saw you by chance yesterday!

Word Family

Noun
우연
Adverb
우연히
Adjective
우연한
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Woo' as 'Whoa!' - the sound of surprise when something happens by chance.

Quick Quiz

서점에서 ____ 내가 좋아하는 작가를 만났다.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 우연히

Examples

1

우연히 라디오에서 그 노래를 들었어요.

everyday

I happened to hear that song on the radio.

2

본 발견은 실험 도중 우연히 이루어졌습니다.

formal

This discovery was made by chance during an experiment.

3

어제 우연히 너 봤어!

informal

I saw you by chance yesterday!

4

플레밍은 우연히 페니실린을 발견하게 되었다.

academic

Fleming came to discover penicillin by accident.

5

우연히 좋은 기회를 얻어 사업을 시작했습니다.

business

I started the business after getting a good opportunity by chance.

Word Family

Noun
우연
Adverb
우연히
Adjective
우연한

Common Collocations

우연히 만나다 to meet by chance
우연히 발견하다 to discover by chance
우연히 듣다 to happen to hear
우연히 알게 되다 to find out by chance
우연히 겹치다 to coincide by chance

Common Phrases

우연의 일치

coincidence

우연한 기회

chance opportunity

순전히 우연히

purely by chance

Often Confused With

우연히 vs 당연히

당연히 means 'naturally/of course', while 우연히 means 'by chance'.

📝

Usage Notes

Used to describe events that happen without planning or intent.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse with '의도적으로' (intentionally).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Woo' as 'Whoa!' - the sound of surprise when something happens by chance.

📖

Word Origin

From Sino-Korean 偶 (accidental) and 然 (so).

Grammar Patterns

우연히 ~하다

Quick Quiz

서점에서 ____ 내가 좋아하는 작가를 만났다.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 우연히

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