たまに

た

ま

に

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

adverb

usually written using kana alone

Describes an event that happens infrequently, but not extremely rarely. Common in everyday speech.

彼かれはたまに遅ち刻こくする。

He is late once in a while.

たまにUsage99%
The word is usually written in kana. The kanji form 偶に exists but is less common.
偶たまにUsage1%
Kanji form; less common than kana. The reading たまに is standard.
適たまに
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; Not recommended for learners.

時とき々どき
時々 means 'sometimes' and implies a higher frequency than たまに. たまに is closer to 'once in a while' or 'rarely'.
まれに
まれに means 'rarely' and suggests a lower frequency than たまに. たまに is more casual and common in daily conversation.

Derived from the noun 偶 (たま, 'rare occasion') with the adverbial particle に. The kanji 偶 carries the meaning of 'by chance' or 'rarely'.