Correct
常 vs 常常
/ cháng vs chángcháng /
Strokes
Formula
1
常来常往 (frequently come and go)
2
常备不懈 (always be on the alert)
Definition
常 and 常常 both are Adverbs, which means [often; frequently].
Example
常 and 常常 both words indicate that an action, behaviour or state occurs repeatedly with short intervals.
The two words are mostly interchangeable.
1
Tā
他
cháng
常
(
chángcháng
常常
)
hé
和
línjū
邻居
men
们
láiwǎng
来往
。
He and his neighbors visited each other frequently.
2
Lǎowáng
老王
cháng
常
(
chángcháng
常常
)
dào
到
jiāoqū
郊区
qù
去
diàoyú
钓鱼
。
Lao Wang often goes to the suburb to fish.
In written language, if it is followed by a monosyllabic word, 常 is mostly used.
3
Huánjìng
环境
cháng
常
suí
随
shíjiān
时间
de
的
biànhuà
变化
ér
而
biànhuà
变化
。
Environment always change with the time.
4
Zhīzúchánglè
知足常乐
shì
是
tā
他
chángshòu
长寿
de
的
mìjué
秘诀
zhīyī
之一
。
To be content and happy about one's life is also one of the secrets of his longevity.
The negative form is mostly 不常.
5
Tā
他
zuìjìn
最近
bù
不
cháng
常
lái
来
le
了
。
He seldom showed up recently.
6
Lǎotàitai
老太太
yī
一
gè
个
rén
人
zhù
住
,
érnǚ
儿女
bù
不
cháng
常
huíjiā
回家
。
The old lady lives alone, and her children rarely visit her.
In four-character phrases, 常 is used and not 常常, e.g. 常来常往 (frequently come and go), 常备不懈 (always be on the alert), etc.
常来常往 (frequently come and go)
常备不懈 (always be on the alert)
7
Wǒ
我
rènshi
认识
tā
他
,
dàn
但
wǒ
我
liǎ
俩
bìng
并
bù
不
cháng
常
lái
来
cháng
常
wǎng
往
。
I know him, but we dont frequently see each other.
8
Tūjī
突击
xúnchá
巡察
yǒuzhùyú
有助于
shǐ
使
yuángōng
员工
chángbèibùxiè
常备不懈
。
Surprise visits help to keep the staff on their toes.