{"id":7923,"date":"2016-10-22T14:36:39","date_gmt":"2016-10-22T14:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/?p=7923"},"modified":"2023-05-16T01:13:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T01:13:40","slug":"often-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digmandarin.com\/often-in-chinese.html","title":{"rendered":"\u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) VS\u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng): The Many Ways of Using the word \u201cOften\u201d in Chinese"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Discovering the nuances of language is a fascinating journey, especially when it comes to understanding how different cultures express similar ideas. Take, for instance, the concept of “often” in English and its equivalents in Mandarin Chinese. While the adverbs \u5e38\u5e38 (ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) and \u5f80\u5f80 (w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) both translate to “often,” their usage can reveal distinct meanings in different situations. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two adverbs and discover how their usage can enhance our understanding of Mandarin Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Plus, if you’re interested in improving your grammar skills, be sure to check out our HSK tutorial videos<\/a>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\u3001<\/strong><\/span>The adverb \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) means that an action happens many times, regardless of whether it is done regularly or not. On the other hand, \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) implies that an action happens frequently under specific or regularly timed circumstances. With \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng), the situation, condition, or result related to the action being discussed needs to be specified, while \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) has no such limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He often works overtime.
\u4ed6\u5e38\u5e38<\/u><\/strong>\u52a0\u73ed\u3002(T\u0101 ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng ji\u0101 b\u0101n.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tends to work overtime at the end of the year.
\u4ed6\u5f80\u5f80<\/u><\/strong>\u5e74\u5e95\u52a0\u73ed\u3002(T\u0101 w\u01ceng w\u01ceng ni\u00e1n d\u01d0 ji\u0101 b\u0101n.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2\u3001<\/strong><\/span>You can use \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) to express hopes or desires, indicating actions that have not yet taken place but may happen repeatedly. On the other hand, \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) describes the current situation, indicating actions that are already happening regularly or have happened regularly in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s go watch movies often.
\u6211\u4eec\u5e38\u5e38<\/u><\/strong>\u53bb\u770b\u7535\u5f71\u5427\u3002
(W\u01d2men ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng q\u00f9 k\u00e0n di\u00e0ny\u01d0ng ba.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They often watch movies on weekends.
\u5468\u672b\u4ed6\u4eec\u5f80\u5f80<\/u><\/strong>\u53bb\u770b\u7535\u5f71\u3002
(Zh\u014dum\u00f2 t\u0101men w\u01ceng w\u01ceng q\u00f9 k\u00e0n di\u00e0ny\u01d0ng.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\u3001<\/strong><\/span>You can use \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) to describe events that have happened, are happening or will happen frequently. On the other hand, \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) is mostly used for describing past events, although it can be used for present events. It cannot be used for events that are set in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past tense:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I was young, Mom often used to tell me stories.
\u6211\u5c0f\u65f6\u5019\uff0c\u5988\u5988\u5e38\u5e38<\/u><\/strong>\u7ed9\u6211\u8bb2\u6545\u4e8b\u3002
(W\u01d2 xi\u01ceo sh\u00edh\u00f2u, m\u0101ma ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng g\u011bi w\u01d2 ji\u01ceng g\u00f9sh\u00ec.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Present tense:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The manager often gets to the company half an hour early.
\u7ecf\u7406\u5e38\u5e38<\/u><\/strong>\u63d0\u524d\u534a\u4e2a\u5c0f\u65f6\u5230\u516c\u53f8\u3002
(J\u012bngl\u01d0 ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng t\u00edqi\u00e1n b\u00e0n g\u00e8 xi\u01ceo sh\u00ed d\u00e0o g\u014dngs\u012b.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future tense:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will come to visit you often.
\u6211\u4f1a\u5e38\u5e38<\/u>\u6765\u770b\u60a8\u7684\u3002
(W\u01d2 hu\u00ec ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng l\u00e1i k\u00e0n n\u00edn de.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4\u3001<\/strong><\/span>You can use \u4e0d\u5e38(b\u00f9 ch\u00e1ng) to negate \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng), meaning “not often”. However, there is no negative form for \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng), and it is instead negated by adding \u4e0d\/\u6ca1 (b\u00f9\/m\u00e9i) to the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4e0d + \u5e38<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u5f80\u5f80 + \u4e0d\/\u6ca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We live close, but don\u2019t often keep in touch.
\u6211\u4eec\u4f4f\u7684\u5f88\u8fd1\uff0c\u4f46\u662f\u4e0d\u5e38<\/u><\/strong>\u8054\u7cfb\u3002
(W\u01d2 men zh\u00f9 de h\u011bn j\u00ecn\uff0cd\u00e0nsh\u00ec b\u00f9 ch\u00e1ng li\u00e1nx\u00ec.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On rainy days, it’s not often easy to get a taxi.
\u4e0b\u96e8\u5929,\u5f80\u5f80\u4e0d<\/u><\/strong>\u5bb9\u6613\u6253\u8f66\u3002
(Xi\u00e0 y\u01d4 ti\u0101n, w\u01ceng w\u01ceng b\u00f9 r\u00f3ngy\u00ec d\u01ce ch\u0113.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) in questions, but \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) cannot be used in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you watch TV often?
\u4f60\u5e38\u5e38<\/u>\u770b\u7535\u89c6\u5417?
(N\u01d0 ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng k\u00e0n di\u00e0nsh\u00ec ma?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5\u3001<\/strong><\/span> You can use the shortened version \u5e38(ch\u00e1ng) for \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng), but you cannot do the same for \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) by using just \u5f80(w\u01ceng). Also, \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) indicates a frequently occurring action that may be commonplace or regular, whereas \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) points to a less common phenomenon, often surprising or unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is often windy here.\u00a0
\u8fd9\u91cc\u5e38(\u5e38)<\/u><\/strong>\u522e\u98ce\u3002
(Zh\u00e8 l\u01d0 ch\u00e1ng (ch\u00e1ng) gu\u0101 f\u0113ng.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it snows, it is often not cold.
\u4e0b\u96ea\u65f6\u5f80\u5f80<\/u><\/strong>\u4e0d\u51b7\u3002
(Xi\u00e0 xu\u011b sh\u00ed w\u01ceng w\u01ceng b\u00f9 l\u011bng.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, while both \u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng) and \u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng) can be translated as “often” in English, their usage and implications in Mandarin Chinese differ significantly. Understanding the nuances between the two adverbs can greatly improve your ability to communicate effectively in Mandarin Chinese. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering the proper usage of these adverbs will help you become a more fluent and confident speaker. So next time you’re communicating in Mandarin Chinese, remember to choose your adverb wisely to convey the precise meaning you intend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s practice! Fill in the blanks with\u201c\u5e38\u5e38(ch\u00e1ng ch\u00e1ng)\u201d or \u201c\u5f80\u5f80(w\u01ceng w\u01ceng)\u201d :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n