Lesson 14 – The Usages and Comparison Between 往往(wǎngwǎng) vs 常常(chángcháng)

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Notes:

往往

(adverb)

Meaning:

Generally speaking; normally

1. The action after “往往” happens objectively and irregularly.
2. It’s about a conclusion according to the experience from the past up to present. It cannot be used in the future.

e.g.

我上大学的时候，往往一个星期给父母打一次电话。

(wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou, wǎngwǎng yí ge xīngqī gěi fùmǔ dǎ yí cìdiànhuaà. )

这个城市的春天往往来得比较晚。

(zhège chéngshì de chūntiān wǎngwǎng lái de bǐjiào wǎn. )

常常

(adverb)

Meaning:

often; usually

1. The action after “常常” happens frequently due to both subjective and objective reason.
2. It’s about the repetition of the behavior, can be used both in the past or future.

e.g.

你走后，要常常和朋友们联系。

(nǐ zǒu hòu, yào chángcháng hé péngyou men liánxì. )

爷爷常常告诉我，要好好学习。

(yéye chángcháng gàosù wǒ yào hǎo hǎo xuéxí. )

Supplementary materials:

常常(cháng cháng) VS往往(wǎng wǎng): The Many Ways of Using the word “Often” in Chinese