Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
照常 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
照常zhàocháng(business etc) as usualHSK 7, d, 24 strokes, rank #12872, Very Hard
照常zhàochángas usualHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #12872, Very Hard
zhàocháng(zhao4chang2)zhao chang T4
  1. 1(business etc) as usual
  2. 2as usual
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

照常zhàocháng(zhao4chang2)

The term 照常 (zhao4 chang2) means 'as usual' or 'as per normal,' and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that something is happening in a standard or expected manner. It often appears in business settings or everyday conversations when confirming that routines or procedures are being followed.

Strokes24Frequency#12872DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, maintaining consistency and routine is often valued, especially in business settings. The phrase 照常 reflects the importance of reliability and predictability in both personal and professional life.

Memory tip

Imagine a bright light illuminating your routine, symbolized by 照 (zhao4) meaning 'to shine' and 常 (chang2) meaning 'usual' or 'regular.' Picture yourself confidently saying, 'We'll shine on with our usual tasks' to remember that this phrase means continuing as normal.

Meanings of 照常

zhàocháng(zhao4chang2)
1(business etc) as usual
2as usual
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 照常 means.

About 照常

照常Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#12872Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 照常

JasonAmy

Podcast: 照常

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 照常

Quick Contrast

照样 (zhàoyàng) — use 照常 when emphasizing adherence to a routine or norm, while 照样 implies doing something in the same way or manner without necessarily referencing a routine.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 照常 with similar phrases like 照样 (zhao4 yang4), which also means 'as usual' but may imply a comparison. This phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, so adjust your tone according to the context, especially in business communications.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 照常 builds on vocabulary related to daily life and work environments. Students should practice using it in sentences about routines and habits, linking it to other HSK 5 words that describe regular activities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 照常 with 照样, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我们照样开会' (We will have the meeting as usual) should correctly be '我们照常开会' (We will hold the meeting as usual).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 照常

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 照常, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 照常 to you

Let me explain 照常 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 照常 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 照常?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 照常 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

照zhàoto shine
HSK 313 strokes灬
View full entry
常chángalways
HSK 311 strokes巾
View full entry

How to say (business etc) as usual in Chinese

“(business etc) as usual” in Chinese is照常zhàocháng

The term 照常 (zhao4 chang2) means 'as usual' or 'as per normal,' and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that something is happening in a standard or expected manner. It often appears in business settings or everyday conversations when confirming that routines or procedures are being followed.

When to use 照常

Be careful not to confuse 照常 with similar phrases like 照样 (zhao4 yang4), which also means 'as usual' but may imply a comparison. This phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, so adjust your tone according to the context, especially in business communications.

照常 or something close to it

照样 (zhàoyàng) — use 照常 when emphasizing adherence to a routine or norm, while 照样 implies doing something in the same way or manner without necessarily referencing a routine.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 照常 with 照样, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我们照样开会' (We will have the meeting as usual) should correctly be '我们照常开会' (We will hold the meeting as usual).

Write 照常

照
常

Practice writing 照常 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 照常

照常 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

从那以后他____出现在办公室,风雨无阻。

He continued to appear in the office with unfailing regularity thereafter.

Example sentences for 照常 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
从那以后他照常出现在办公室,风雨无阻。

cóng nà yǐhòu tā zhàocháng chūxiàn zài bàngōngshì, fēngyǔ-wúzǔ。

He continued to appear in the office with unfailing regularity thereafter.
2
我不在时,请照常干活.

wǒ bù zài shí, qǐng zhàocháng gān huó.

Please carry on as usual while I am away.
3
不论晴雨,比赛照常举行.

búlùn qíng yǔ, bǐsài zhàocháng jǔxíng.

The game is continue regardless of rain or sun.
4
祥子还照常拉车, 并不因为谣言而偷点懒.

xiáng zi hái zhàocháng lā chē, bìng bù yīnwèi yáoyán ér tōu diǎn lǎn.

Xiangzi plied his trade as usual, not considering the rumours an excuse for taking time off.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 照常?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 照常

Yes, 照常 is appropriate for casual conversations, especially when discussing daily routines.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 照常?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab