<p>I have a different answer: yes, we still use it sometimes.</p>
<p>In my 《新华字典》, a dictionary that is only for modern Chinese learners, the explanation of 俄 still includes &quot;短时间&quot;.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>俄</strong> é 短时间。[俄而][俄顷]一会儿，不久。</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In some literature works, the writer still like to use &quot;俄而&quot; or &quot;俄顷&quot; because they sound more beautiful. Yes, beautiful. It is not popular in daily conversation between common people, it is a 书面语. The use of uncommon 书面语 in literary works can sometimes make the article more elegant and graceful. Also, the readers may think the writer better.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>伊利亚·安德烈伊奇伯爵又从人群中挤过去，步出客厅，<strong>俄而</strong>，他又和另一名理事走来，手里托着一只大银盘，端到巴格拉季翁公爵面前。</p>
<p>——《战争与和平》</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-27T19:22:57.157Z
Yeah, I figured this from L Parker's comment. So the answer is kind of "yes and no". No, because readers recognize that this is an old, classical Chinese expression. Yes, because classical Chinese expression is used in modern Chinese.
Andriy Makukha
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-09T05:10:49.397Z
Agree with you. Classical Chinese is the root of modern Chinese.
T-Pioneer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-27T07:14:01.767Z
2021-06-27T07:14:01.767Z
T-Pioneer
<p>As of all the information I can find on the web, 俄 is used as an adverb only in classical Chinese.</p>
<p>In modern Chinese, this character almost always behave as an abbreviation of <em>俄罗斯 (Russia)</em>, as you can see in the title of some Chinese news saying something like <code>中俄 (China and Russia)</code> or <code>俄军 (Russian army)</code>.</p>
<p>Some example in classical Chinese:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>《口技》：<strong>俄而</strong>百千人大呼</p>
<p><strong>Very soon</strong>, hundreds of people are yelling (for help).</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>《世说新语·咏雪》：<strong>俄而</strong>雪骤</p>
<p><strong>Suddenly</strong>, the snow falls heavily.</p>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<p>Some reference:</p>
<p><a href="https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/336464488" rel="nofollow noreferrer">《口技》English translation</a></p>
<p><a href="https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%96%E8%AF%B4%E6%96%B0%E8%AF%AD%C2%B7%E5%92%8F%E9%9B%AA" rel="nofollow noreferrer">百度百科：《世说新语·咏雪》</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-14T23:54:39.183Z
2021-06-14T23:54:39.183Z
Alan Zzz
<p>According to PLC, 俄 can be an adverb and it means &quot;very soon, presently, suddenly&quot;. Does this meaning still occur in modern Chinese?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-14T16:42:43.017Z
To my knowledge, no. It’s just found in Classical Chinese expressions like 俄而
L Parker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-14T17:50:26.013Z
No, it's seldom used for that meaning in modern Chinese.
Alpha Huang
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-15T05:19:34.167Z
@LParker, thanks.
Andriy Makukha
<meaning>
Is 俄 still used as an adverb?
# Is 俄 still used as an adverb?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-06-14)

According to PLC, 俄 can be an adverb and it means "very soon, presently, suddenly". Does this meaning still occur in modern Chinese?

**Tags:** meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: To my knowledge, no. It’s just found in Classical Chinese expressions like 俄而  
> **username_2**: No, it's seldom used for that meaning in modern Chinese.  
> **username_0**: @LParker, thanks.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-06-14. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

As of all the information I can find on the web, 俄 is used as an adverb only in classical Chinese.

In modern Chinese, this character almost always behave as an abbreviation of *俄罗斯 (Russia)*, as you can see in the title of some Chinese news saying something like `中俄 (China and Russia)` or `俄军 (Russian army)`.

Some example in classical Chinese:

> 《口技》：**俄而**百千人大呼
>
> **Very soon**, hundreds of people are yelling (for help).

> 《世说新语·咏雪》：**俄而**雪骤
>
> **Suddenly**, the snow falls heavily.

---

Some reference:

[《口技》English translation](https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/336464488)

[百度百科：《世说新语·咏雪》](https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%96%E8%AF%B4%E6%96%B0%E8%AF%AD%C2%B7%E5%92%8F%E9%9B%AA)


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-06-27. Score: 1

I have a different answer: yes, we still use it sometimes.

In my 《新华字典》, a dictionary that is only for modern Chinese learners, the explanation of 俄 still includes "短时间".

> **俄** é 短时间。[俄而][俄顷]一会儿，不久。

In some literature works, the writer still like to use "俄而" or "俄顷" because they sound more beautiful. Yes, beautiful. It is not popular in daily conversation between common people, it is a 书面语. The use of uncommon 书面语 in literary works can sometimes make the article more elegant and graceful. Also, the readers may think the writer better.

> 伊利亚·安德烈伊奇伯爵又从人群中挤过去，步出客厅，**俄而**，他又和另一名理事走来，手里托着一只大银盘，端到巴格拉季翁公爵面前。
>
> ——《战争与和平》

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yeah, I figured this from username_1's comment. So the answer is kind of "yes and no". No, because readers recognize that this is an old, classical Chinese expression. Yes, because classical Chinese expression is used in modern Chinese.  
> **username_3**: Agree with you. Classical Chinese is the root of modern Chinese.  

---

