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