常常 vs 往往 (often vs tends to)
Frequency and a tendency can overlap
- You observe that weekends tend to be busy.
- 周末往往很忙。 — 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
Frequency and a tendency can overlap
- You observe that weekends tend to be busy.
- weekend周末usually往往very很busy忙。 — usually往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
You observe that weekends tend to be busy. What does 周末往往很忙。 communicate?
往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends. 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends. 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 常常 vs 往往 (often vs tends to). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他often常常be late迟到。
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is often常常 vs usually往往 (often vs tends to). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他often常常be late迟到。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: He's often late: 他 ____ 迟到。
常常 describes frequent lateness; 往往 can present lateness as a recurring tendency. The short prompt does not justify excluding one.
Read examples in context
weekends周末tend to往往very很busy忙。
- In the opening example, 周末往往很忙。: 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Read examples in context
weekends周末tend to往往very很busy忙。
- In the opening example, weekend周末usually往往very很busy忙。: usually往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Which states a general tendency / pattern? · ¿Cuál indica una tendencia o patrón general?
往往 = a pattern (often conditional); 常常 = plain frequency. · 往往 = un patrón (a menudo condicional); 常常 = frecuencia simple.
Know the boundary
- 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends.
- 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
Know the boundary
- often常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends.
- usually往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as I / me我tomorrow明天usually往往to go去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
往往 works for future plans, like 我明天往往去. · 往往 se usa para planes futuros, como 我明天往往去.
No — 往往 states a pattern, not a future plan. · No — 往往 indica un patrón, no un plan futuro.
常常 and 往往 can never fit the same repeated-event context.
常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends. 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts. 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
Use the distinction
- 往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
- 常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends. 往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as 我明天往往去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.
Use the distinction
- usually往往 presents a recurring tendency tied to weekends.
- often常常 can also describe frequent busy weekends. usually往往 is unsuitable for a single intended action such as I / me我tomorrow明天usually往往to go去, but the words can overlap in repeated-event contexts.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.