有时候…有时候
Pattern
有时候 + clause, 有时候 + clause
Key words
Core idea
Repeating 有时候 contrasts two things that happen at different times. It means “sometimes this, sometimes that.”
The two clauses should be parallel enough that the contrast is easy to hear.
When to use it
Use this pattern for alternating habits, changing situations, or two possible states. If you only need to say that something happens sometimes, one 有时候 is enough.
Examples
我有时候喝茶，有时候喝咖啡。
Wǒ yǒu shíhou hē chá, yǒu shíhou hē kāfēi.
Sometimes I drink tea; sometimes I drink coffee.
他有时候坐车，有时候走路。
Tā yǒu shíhou zuò chē, yǒu shíhou zǒu lù.
Sometimes he takes a vehicle; sometimes he walks.
这里有时候很安静，有时候很吵。
Zhèlǐ yǒu shíhou hěn ānjìng, yǒu shíhou hěn chǎo.
Sometimes it is quiet here; sometimes it is noisy.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我有时候喝茶，有喝咖啡。
Use
我有时候喝茶，有时候喝咖啡。
Repeat 有时候 before the second alternative when contrasting two occasional habits.