Adverbs: 常 cháng – usually

Structure

S + 常常 chángcháng + VO

常常 chángcháng (often, usually) refers to a behavior or action that occurs frequently and with short intervals between occurrences. Therefore, it cannot be used in the negative form. Also, unlike in English, frequency adverbs in Chinese are typically not placed at the end of sentences.

我wǒ常常chángcháng覺得juéde他tā很hěn笨bèn我wǒ常常chángcháng觉得juéde他tā很hěn笨bèn
I often think he is dumb.

你nǐ常常chángcháng在zài上課shàngkè的時候deshíhòu睡覺shuìjiào嗎ma？ 你nǐ常常chángcháng在zài上课shàngkè的时候deshíhou睡觉shuìjiào吗ma？
Do you often sleep during class?

我wǒ常常chángcháng忘記wàngjì新xīn朋友péngyǒu的de名字míngzi我wǒ常常chángcháng忘记wàngjì新xīn朋友péngyou的de名字míngzi
I often forget new friends’ names.

老師lǎoshī常常chángcháng拉肚子lādùzi老师lǎoshī常常chángcháng拉肚子lādùzi
The teacher often has diarrhea.

FYI
I understand that many foreigners may encounter stomach issues when in China or Taiwan due to differences in food. However, when it comes to explaining your condition to a doctor, colleagues, or friends, it’s best to steer clear of using medical terminology like 腹瀉泻 fùxiè for “diarrhea” as found in dictionaries. Instead, a more casual and commonly used term is 拉肚子 lādùzi, which means “having diarrhea.”
Now, here’s another cultural aspect to consider. Is it considered oversharing to inform friends, teachers, or colleagues about your bout of diarrhea? In Chinese culture, it’s actually perfectly acceptable and even encouraged. By letting people know about your situation, they can offer assistance and show their concern.

S + 常 cháng + VO

常 cháng indicates that a behavior occurs more than once; it can also mean ordinary, common, or long-lasting. Therefore, it can be used in the negative form.

我wǒ常cháng在zài早上zǎoshàng喝hē一杯yìbēi咖啡kāfēi我wǒ常cháng在zài早上zǎoshang喝hē一杯yìbēi咖啡kāfēi
I often have a cup of coffee in the morning.

我的wǒde狗gǒu常cháng在zài我的wǒde腳jiǎo上shàng睡覺shuìjiào我的wǒde狗gǒu常cháng在zài我的wǒde脚jiǎo上shang睡觉shuìjiào
My dog often sleeps on my feet.

她tā不bù常cháng吃chī早飯zǎofàn她tā不bù常cháng吃chī早饭zǎofàn
She doesn’t often eat breakfast.

你nǐ常cháng練習liànxí中文zhōngwén嗎ma？ 你nǐ常cháng练习liànxí中文zhōngwén吗ma？
Do you often practice Chinese?