往往 (wǎng wǎng) — (adverb) usually, in many cases, more often tha… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

往往 describes a pattern or tendency rather than a single habit — something that happens more often than not across many cases, stronger than 常常 ('often'). Often used in writing to express generalizations.

adverb

usuallyin many casesmore often than not

Examples

往往。
Tā zhōu mò wǎng wǎng qù chāo shì gòu wù.
He usually goes shopping at the supermarket on weekends.
，往往。
Kǎo shì qián, xué shēng wǎng wǎng fù xí dào hěn wǎn.
Before exams, students often study until very late.
，往往。
Xià yǔ de shí hou, tā wǎng wǎng bú dài sǎn.
When it rains, he usually doesn't bring an umbrella.

Origin

Reduplicated word

构词法gòucífǎ

重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

Repeating '往' creates a sense of frequent occurrence, meaning usually.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

止止zhǐfoot

Sound part声符shēngfú

王

王wáng往wǎng

Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

止止zhǐfoot

Sound part声符shēngfú

王

王wáng往wǎng

Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Grammar

Full explanation →

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 HSK 2.0 Level 4 Frequency & Duration

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