往往
Often/tend to
Littéralement: towards towards / go towards
Use `往往` to describe predictable patterns or habits that happen because of a specific situation.
En 15 secondes
- Describes patterns that happen under specific conditions.
- Used for past experiences and observed habits.
- Place it before the verb to show a tendency.
- Avoid using it for future plans or random events.
Signification
This phrase describes things that happen regularly or habits that tend to occur under specific circumstances. It is like saying 'usually' or 'more often than not' when you notice a pattern in life.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about weekend habits
周末我往往去图书馆学习。
On weekends, I often go to the library to study.
Explaining a work phenomenon
压力大的时候，他往往会失眠。
When under a lot of pressure, he often suffers from insomnia.
Texting a friend about a common mistake
太便宜的东西，质量往往不太好。
Things that are too cheap often aren't very good quality.
Contexte culturel
The term stems from classical roots where 'wang' implied going back and forth. It reflects a traditional Chinese philosophical view that events are cyclical and follow predictable patterns based on circumstances. Today, it is a staple of both literary prose and thoughtful everyday conversation.
The 'Condition' Secret
If you aren't sure if `往往` fits, try adding 'Whenever...' to the start of your sentence. If it still makes sense, `往往` is the right choice!
No Future Allowed
Never use `往往` for things that haven't happened yet. It is a word for 'experts' who have seen it all before.
En 15 secondes
- Describes patterns that happen under specific conditions.
- Used for past experiences and observed habits.
- Place it before the verb to show a tendency.
- Avoid using it for future plans or random events.
What It Means
往往 is your go-to word for describing patterns. It translates to 'often' or 'frequently.' However, it is not just about counting how many times something happens. It is about things that happen because of a specific reason or situation. Think of it as 'given X, Y usually happens.' It is the language of observation. You use it when you have noticed a trend in your life or others.
How To Use It
Place 往往 right before the verb or the adjective. It usually needs a context or a condition to feel natural. You cannot just say 'I often eat.' You should say 'When I am busy, I 往往 forget to eat.' It acts as a bridge between a situation and a result. It is great for explaining your habits to new friends. It also works well when describing people's general behavior. Just remember: it looks backward at experience. It is about what has already proven to be true.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about regular occurrences. It is perfect for professional reports when describing market trends. It is also great for deep late-night chats about life. If you are telling a friend why your ex was difficult, 往往 is your best friend. Use it in 'if... then...' style scenarios. It makes you sound observant and wise. It is very common in written Chinese and thoughtful speech.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 往往 for future events. You cannot say 'I will 往往 go to the gym tomorrow.' That sounds like you are a time traveler who is confused. Also, avoid it for things that happen purely by chance without a pattern. For simple frequency without a 'reason,' use 经常 instead. If you are just saying 'I go there often,' 经常 is safer. 往往 needs that 'whenever this happens' vibe to really shine.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture values observing the natural order of things. 往往 reflects this by focusing on the 'way' things tend to go. It comes from the idea of 'going' or 'following' a path. It suggests that life has rhythms we can predict if we pay attention. Using it makes you sound like you understand the hidden rules of the world. It is a very 'zen' way to describe your daily routine.
Common Variations
In very formal writing, you might see 往往 paired with 总是. However, 往往 is usually strong enough on its own. You might also hear 常 in fast speech, which is just a shorter version. Some people confuse it with 通常, but 通常 is more about 'normal' rules. 往往 is more about 'observed' patterns. Stick to 往往 when you want to sound like you are sharing a life lesson.
Notes d'usage
Use this phrase when you want to sound like you've noticed a recurring pattern in life. It's more sophisticated than '经常' and works best when you provide a context or reason for the behavior.
The 'Condition' Secret
If you aren't sure if `往往` fits, try adding 'Whenever...' to the start of your sentence. If it still makes sense, `往往` is the right choice!
No Future Allowed
Never use `往往` for things that haven't happened yet. It is a word for 'experts' who have seen it all before.
Sounding Wise
Using `往往` instead of `经常` in a debate makes you sound more objective and observant, as if you're stating a law of nature.
Exemples
6周末我往往去图书馆学习。
On weekends, I often go to the library to study.
Shows a regular weekend pattern.
压力大的时候，他往往会失眠。
When under a lot of pressure, he often suffers from insomnia.
Links a condition (pressure) to a result (insomnia).
太便宜的东西，质量往往不太好。
Things that are too cheap often aren't very good quality.
A common observation about shopping.
最帅的男生往往已经有女朋友了。
The most handsome guys often already have girlfriends.
A funny, relatable pattern in life.
成功往往需要很多努力和一点点运气。
Success often requires a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck.
A deep, emotional reflection on the nature of success.
这里的夏天往往会下大雨。
Summers here often bring heavy rain.
Describing a natural, predictable climate pattern.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to describe a recurring pattern based on a situation.
当天气变冷时，人们___喜欢喝热咖啡。
`往往` is used here because drinking hot coffee is a predictable pattern that happens when the weather gets cold.
Complete the sentence to show a habit.
晚饭后，他___会去公园散步。
`往往` fits perfectly to describe a regular post-dinner habit.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Often' in Chinese
Simple frequency, used with friends.
经常 (jīngcháng)
Describing patterns and tendencies.
往往 (wǎngwǎng)
General rules or common practices.
通常 (tōngcháng)
When to use 往往
Weather Habits
It often rains in spring.
Human Behavior
People often forget things when busy.
Shopping Truths
Cheap items often break fast.
Work Trends
Meetings often run late.
Questions fréquentes
10 questions经常 just means 'frequently' regardless of the reason. 往往 implies a pattern or a tendency based on specific circumstances, like 压力大时往往会累 (When stressed, one often feels tired).
No, you cannot. 往往 is based on past experience and observation. For future frequency, use 会经常 or 打算经常.
It is neutral but leans slightly towards written or thoughtful speech. You can use it with friends, but it also appears in newspapers and textbooks.
Almost always. It feels incomplete if you don't imply 'when' or 'why' something happens. For example, 冬天往往下雪 (It often snows in winter) uses 'winter' as the condition.
No. Since it describes a pattern, it must refer to things that happen repeatedly over time.
Yes, absolutely. You can say 他往往迟到 (He often arrives late) to describe a frustrating but predictable habit.
通常 means 'normally' or 'generally' (the rule). 往往 is more about what 'tends to happen' in reality based on observation.
It almost always goes after the subject and before the verb or adjective, such as 老师往往很忙 (Teachers are often very busy).
It is rare to use 往往 in a direct question. Usually, you use 经常 for questions like 'Do you often go there?'
In Chinese, doubling a character (reduplication) often emphasizes a state or a continuous nature. Here, it suggests the 'going' happens again and again.
Expressions liées
经常
通常
总是
习惯于
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