Both 常常 (chángcháng) and 经常 (jīngcháng) express similar
concepts, though using them properly requires attention to some
small details.
Both are
used as adverbs expressing frequency
常常 and 经常 both express that the action happened many times, and
that the time between each time it happens is very short.
Structure
Examples
- 奶奶 去世 以前，我 常常 去 看 她。Before Grandma
died, I often went to see her.
- 以前， 我 经常 不 吃 早 饭。Before, I often
didn't eat breakfast.
经常
can also be used to describe actions in the future
经常 can also be used in actions in the future. You cannot do this
with 常常。
Structure
Examples
- 你 以后 要 经常 做 运动。Later, you are
going to exercise often.
- 这个项目 做完 以后， 我 会 经常 陪 你。Once this
project is done, then I can go with you more often.
经常 is also used as an
adjective
经常 is not only a time adverb, it can also be an adjective. When
using it as an adjective, place it before the noun or use it in
combination with 性 to make it into 经常性. You cannot do thing with
常常.
Structure
Examples
- 她 忘记 带 钥匙 是 经常 的 事情。Her forgetting
to bring a key is a frequent occurrence.
- 接待 客户 对 我们 来 说 是经常 性 工作。Greeting
customers is a common job for us.
The negative form of 经常 is 不经常. 常常 is usually 不常 in it's
negative form.
Structure
Examples
- 我 不 经常 看 电视。I don't watch
television very often.
- 他 不 常 来 我 家。He doesn't come to my
house very often.
- 我 不 常 在家 做饭。I don't cook very
often at home.
Examples of right
and wrong sentences
- 你 以后 要 常常 做 运动。"常常" can't be used
in the future.
- 你 以后 要 经常 做 运动。Later, you are
going to exercise often.
- 这 是 常常 的 事。"常常" can not be an
adjective.
- 这 是 经常 的 事。This is a common
event.
Example dialog
- A: 你 以前经常 不 吃 早 饭 吗？You didn't
often eat breakfast before?
- B: 对，我 常常 睡 到 中午 十二点。Right, I
often slept until noon.
- A: 不 经常 吃 早 饭 不 是 个 好 习惯。Not
eating breakfast often isn't a good habit.
- B: 我 知道。我 决定 以后 经常 吃 早饭。I know. I
decided I'm going to eat breakfast often from now on.
See Also
Sources and further
reading
Websites
The two types of verbal plurality: the case of jingchang (經 常)
‘usually’ and changchang (常常) ‘often’
Category:grammar comparison