往往 wǎngwǎng often
often; frequently; more often than not
Characters
How it is used
- Often / more often than not (as a tendency) - 他往往迟到 (tā wǎngwǎng chídào) he tends to be late.
- Describes a habitual pattern under certain conditions, based on past regularity.
- Contrast 常常 (chángcháng) 'often', which can describe any recurring action including future intent; 往往 states an observed tendency and can't be used for one-off future plans.
Example sentences
- 解决问题最简便的方法往往是最好的办法。 Jiějuéwèntí zuì jiǎnbiàn de fāngfǎ wǎngwǎng shì zuìhǎo de bànfǎ.The simplest solutions are always the best.
- 他往往工作到半夜。 Tā wǎngwǎng gōngzuò dào bànyè.He often works until midnight.
- 红发的人往往有雀斑。 Hóngfà de rén wǎngwǎng yǒu quèbān.Red-haired people tend to have freckles.