语法 · HSK 3–4
经常 / 常常 vs 往往 (wǎngwǎng): "often" in Chinese
经常 and 常常 simply mean "often / frequently" and work in past, present or future sentences (including wishes and commands): 我经常运动, 请常来玩. 往往 describes a regular pattern that happens under a certain condition ("tends to / more often than not"): 周末这里往往很多人. 往往 needs context (when/where) and cannot be used for future plans.
句型Patterns
Subject + 经常 / 常常 + VerbHigh frequency (past, present or future).不常 / 不经常 + VerbNegation ("not often").Time / Place / Condition + 往往 + VerbObserved rule or pattern; no negation.
例句Examples
- 我平时经常在家里做饭。wǒ píng shí jīng cháng zài jiā lǐ zuò fàn.I usually cook at home often.
- 有空的时候常来我家坐坐。yǒu kōng de shí hou cháng lái wǒ jiā zuò zuò.Come and visit my home often when you are free.
- 春天北京往往刮大风。chūn tiān běi jīng wǎng wǎng guā dà fēng.In spring it tends to be very windy in Beijing.
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗我往往去图书馆。
✓我经常去图书馆。 / 周末我往往去图书馆。
往往 needs a stated condition, time or place; for simple "I often go", use 经常 or 常常.
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✗以后我往往来看你。
✓以后我常来看你。
往往 is only for established patterns, never future intentions.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
What is the difference between 经常 and 常常?
They are interchangeable in almost all sentences; 经常 can also modify a noun (经常的事), while 常常 shortens to 常 in 不常 and 常去.