偏偏 piānpiān unfortunately
(indicating that something turns out just the opposite of what one would wish) unfortunately; as it happened; (indicating that something is the opposite of what would be normal or reasonable) stubbornly; contrarily; against reason; (indicating that somebody or a group is singled out) precisely; only; of all people
Characters
How it is used
- An adverb of contrariness - things turn out exactly opposite to what you'd wish - 我想休息，偏偏来了客人 (wǒ xiǎng xiūxi, piānpiān lái le kèrén) I wanted to rest, but of all times guests showed up.
- Also 'stubbornly, deliberately against advice': 让他别去，他偏偏要去 (told him not to go, but he insisted on going anyway).
- Carries a note of frustration or defiance - fate or a person acting perversely against expectation. Very common in speech.