HSK 4
Correct
常常 vs 往往
/ chángcháng vs wángwǎng /
Strokes
Formula
1
往往 + 不（没）
Definition
常常 and 往往 both are Adverbs of frequency (频率副词), used to indicate an action or situation occurs repeatedly:
1, When 常常 is used to indicate an action or a situation occurs repeatedly, the conditions for the occurrence is optional,
2, 常常 can be used to express personal ideas or wishes, especially for something in the future,
3, 常常 can also be used in imperative sentences,
4, 往往 is used to specify the conditions of the regularity.
Example
往往 and 常常 are interchangeable, most cases are like this.
1
Tā
他
xīngqīliù
星期六
shàngwǔ
上午
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
qù
去
túshūguǎn
图书馆
,
nǐ
你
kěyǐ
可以
qù
去
nàli
那里
zhǎo
找
tā
他
。
You can find him in the library for he usually went there on Saturday morning.
2
Tā
他
yī
一
máng
忙
qǐlai
起来
,
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
lián
连
fàn
饭
dōu
都
wàng
忘
le
了
chī
吃
。
He usually forgot his meals if he was busy.
3
Wǒ
我
shuōhuà
说话
shí
时
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
kǎolǜ
考虑
de
得
bùgòu
不够
,
ràng
让
rén
人
bù
不
gāoxìng
高兴
。
I often make others unhappy by my inconsiderate words.
4
Zài
在
rénmen
人们
zhēnglùn
争论
de
的
shíhou
时候
,
tā
他
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
bǎochí
保持
chénmò
沉默
。
He always kept silent over others'argument.
5
Xián
闲
xiàlai
下来
de
的
shíhou
时候
,
tā
他
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
tīng
听
yīnyuè
音乐
。
He usually listens to music when he is free.
6
Yùdào
遇到
shìqing
事情
,
tā
他
chángcháng
常常
(
wǎngwǎng
往往
)
hěn
很
bù
不
lěngjìng
冷静
。
He usually cannot keep calm when facing problems.
常常 indicates that something happens repeatedly and with short intervals.
7
Wǒ
我
chángcháng
常常
huíyì
回忆
qǐ
起
xiǎoshíhou
小时候
de
的
yīxiē
一些
shìqing
事情
。
I often recalled what happened in my childhood.
8
Lǎoshī
老师
chángcháng
常常
gěi
给
xuésheng
学生
jiǎng
讲
yīxiē
一些
zuòrén
做人
de
的
dàoli
道理
。
The teacher usually told his students about how to be a man.
常常 can be modified by a negative word; in this case 常常 can be simplified into 常.
9
Tā
他
bānjiā
搬家
yǐhòu
以后
,
jiù
就
bù
不
cháng
常
lái
来
wǒjiā
我家
le
了
。
He did not came to my place often since he moved.
10
Wǒ
我
bù
不
cháng
常
kàn
看
diànyǐng
电影
,
diànshì
电视
dàoshi
倒是
měitiān
每天
dōu
都
kàn
看
de
的
。
I do not go to cinema often, but I watch TV every day.
常常 of this meaning can be applied to things that have not taken place and can be simplified to 常; while 往往 has no such usage.
11
Yǐhòu
以后
wǒ
我
huì
会
chángcháng
常常
qù
去
yuèlǎnshì
阅览室
kàn
看
shū
书
。
From now on, I will go to the reading room to study frequently.
12
Xīwàng
希望
nǐ
你
yǒu
有
kòngr
空儿
de
的
shíhou
时候
cháng
常
lái
来
wán
玩
。
I hope you will see us frequently if you are free.
The negative forms of 常常 are 不常 or 不常常 (seldom used); 往往 can be used in negative sentences, 往往 + 不（没）.
不往 or 不往往 is wrong.
往往 + 不（没）
13
Wǒmen
我们
bù
不
cháng
常
kàn
看
diànyǐng
电影
。
We don't watch movies often.
14
Wǒmen
我们
bù
不
cháng
常
jiànmiàn
见面
。
We don't see each other often.
15
Tā
他
zǎoshang
早上
wǎngwǎng
往往
bù
不
chī
吃
zǎofàn
早饭
。
He doesn't often have breakfast in the morning.
常常 can also be used in Imperative Sentences, while 往往 cannot.
16
Píngshí
平时
yào
要
chángcháng
常常
duànliàn
锻炼
shēntǐ
身体
。
We need to do physical exercise often.
17
Bùyào
不要
chángcháng
常常
bàoyuàn
抱怨
。
Don't complain very often.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with 常, 常常 or 往往:
1. 他不（ ）和别人说话。
2. 要是能（ ）去海边散步多好啊。
3. 乐观的人（ ）比较健康。
4. （ ）运动对健康有益。
5. 他（ ）送花给我，但是（ ）不送玫瑰花。
6. 小时候，爸爸（ ）带她去游泳。
7. 父母希望孩子们（ ）回家看看。
8. 他（ ）只有在生病的时候才想会起他的父母。