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往常 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
往常
wǎngcháng
habitually (in the past)
HSK 7, d, 19 strokes, rank #5322, Very Hard
往常
wǎngcháng
as one used to do formerly
HSK 7, d, 19 strokes, rank #5322, Very Hard
往常
wǎngcháng
as it used to be
HSK 7, d, 19 strokes, rank #5322, Very Hard
wǎngcháng(wang3chang2)wang chang T3
1habitually (in the past)
2as one used to do formerly
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March 24, 2026
往常wǎngcháng(wang3chang2)
往常 refers to habitual actions or situations that occurred in the past, typically implying a sense of nostalgia or comparison to the present. It is often used to describe how things used to be or what was customary before a change occurred.
Strokes19Frequency#5322DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, reflecting on the past can often evoke strong emotions and connections to family and heritage, making 往常 a significant term when discussing changes in lifestyle or traditions over time.
Memory tip
Think of 往 (wǎng) as 'to go' and 常 (cháng) as 'often' or 'usual.' Picture a traveler who frequently goes back to visit their old hometown, reminiscing about the past and how things were 'often' different before. This imagery can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 往常
wǎngcháng(wang3chang2)
1habitually (in the past)
2as one used to do formerly
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 往常
往常Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#5322Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 往常
Podcast: 往常
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AI study notes for 往常
Quick Contrast
往日 (wǎngrì) - use 往常 for habitual past actions, while 往日 emphasizes specific past days or times.
Usage Notes
往常 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include '往常的习惯' (habitual in the past) or '往常的生活' (past life). Be careful with tone; using the wrong tones can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, students should focus on its use in complex sentences and its connection to expressions of time and routine. It can be linked to other words related to past habits or frequent actions, enriching your understanding of temporal context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 往常 with 习惯 (xíguàn), which refers to habits in a general sense. For example, saying '我往常一个习惯' is incorrect; it should be '我有一个习惯' (I have a habit).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 往常
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“habitually (in the past)” in Chinese is往常wǎngcháng
往常 refers to habitual actions or situations that occurred in the past, typically implying a sense of nostalgia or comparison to the present. It is often used to describe how things used to be or what was customary before a change occurred.
When to use 往常
往常 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include '往常的习惯' (habitual in the past) or '往常的生活' (past life). Be careful with tone; using the wrong tones can change the meaning entirely.
往常 or something close to it
往日 (wǎngrì) - use 往常 for habitual past actions, while 往日 emphasizes specific past days or times.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 往常 with 习惯 (xíguàn), which refers to habits in a general sense. For example, saying '我往常一个习惯' is incorrect; it should be '我有一个习惯' (I have a habit).
Write 往常
往
常
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Grammar patterns of 往常
往常 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
像____一样，他今天穿的是三件套。
Today, as usual, he was wearing a three-piece suit.
Example sentences for 往常 (10)
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1
像往常一样，他今天穿的是三件套。
xiàng wǎngcháng yíyàng， tā jīntiān chuān de shì sān jiàn tào。
Today, as usual, he was wearing a three-piece suit.
