Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
时常(時常)shícháng(shi2chang2)
时常 (shí cháng) means 'often' or 'frequently' in English. It describes actions or events that happen regularly or repeatedly over time. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to convey the idea of recurrence.
Strokes18Frequency#8447DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time and frequency is important in daily life, influencing schedules and routines. The use of 时常 reflects a value placed on regularity, which can be seen in traditional practices such as tea ceremonies or family gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of '时' (time) and '常' (often) as if you are checking the clock regularly. Imagine a clock that ticks often, reminding you of how frequently events happen at certain times.
Meanings of 时常
shícháng(shi2chang2)
1often
2frequently
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 时常
时常Simplified
時常Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#8447Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 时常
Podcast: 时常
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 时常
Quick Contrast
常常 (chángcháng) vs 时常 (shícháng): use 时常 for a slightly more formal tone; 常常 is more casual.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 时常 with 常常 (cháng cháng), which has a similar meaning but is more commonly used in conversational contexts. 时常 is slightly more formal and may appear in written texts. Avoid using it to imply something that happens only occasionally.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 时常 connects with other adverbs of frequency, such as 经常 (jīng cháng) and 常常 (cháng cháng). Students should focus on understanding the subtle differences in usage and context between these terms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 时常 with occasionally used expressions like 有时 (yǒu shí), which means 'sometimes.' For instance, saying '我时常去商店' (I often go to the store) is correct, but saying '我有时常去商店' is incorrect; it should be '我有时去商店.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 时常
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 时常 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
时常 (shí cháng) means 'often' or 'frequently' in English. It describes actions or events that happen regularly or repeatedly over time. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to convey the idea of recurrence.
When to use 时常
Be careful not to confuse 时常 with 常常 (cháng cháng), which has a similar meaning but is more commonly used in conversational contexts. 时常 is slightly more formal and may appear in written texts. Avoid using it to imply something that happens only occasionally.
时常 or something close to it
常常 (chángcháng) vs 时常 (shícháng): use 时常 for a slightly more formal tone; 常常 is more casual.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 时常 with occasionally used expressions like 有时 (yǒu shí), which means 'sometimes.' For instance, saying '我时常去商店' (I often go to the store) is correct, but saying '我有时常去商店' is incorrect; it should be '我有时去商店.'
Write 时常
时
常
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 时常 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 时常
时常 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
