たまに

たまに indicates infrequent occurrence, typically less often than ときどき.

Similar words

• いつも: always
• よく: often
• ときどき: sometimes
• たまに: occasionally
• めったに〜ない: rarely
• 全然(ぜんぜん)〜ない: not at all

たまに vs たまには:

• たまに: neutral statement of infrequent occurrence
• たまには: emphatic, suggests 'for once' or 'for a change'

Example: たまには外(そと)で食(た)べよう (Let's eat out for a change)

Common patterns

• たまに〜する: to occasionally do ~
• たまに〜ことがある: sometimes ~ happens
• たまにしか〜ない: only rarely ~

Etymology

From 偶(たま) (chance, accident) + に (particle)