AdverbsHSK 5
Comparing 常常 and 往往
常常 and 往往 both mean 'often,' but their negation patterns differ. 常常 uses 不 before the verb (不常), while 往往 places 不 or 没 after itself (往往不 or 往往没). Often, 往往 implies a habitual or predictable situation, whereas 常常 simply indicates high frequency.
Structure
Subj. + 不常 + Verb
Negation pattern for 常常
Subj. + 往往 + 不 / 没 + Verb
Negation pattern for 往往
Examples
- 我不常去健身房。Wǒ bù cháng qù jiàn shēn fáng.I don't often go to the gym.
- 他往往不吃早饭。Tā wǎng wǎng bù chī zǎo fàn.He usually doesn't eat breakfast.
- 他们往往没时间做饭。Tā men wǎng wǎng méi shí jiān zuò fàn.They usually don't have time to cook.