Use '时常' to describe actions or states that happen frequently and regularly.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means often or frequently.
- Used for regular, high-frequency actions/states.
- Common in daily conversations and descriptions.
Overview
时常（shícháng）是一个常用的汉语副词，意为‘经常’、‘常常’。它用来描述某事发生的频率较高，但并非绝对的‘每天’或‘每时每刻’。在日常交流中，时常可以用来表达一种习惯性的、规律性的或频繁出现的动作、状态或事件。它的使用范围广泛，适用于各种生活场景，从个人习惯到社会现象都可以用它来描述。
时常通常放在动词或形容词前面，用来修饰这个动词或形容词所描述的行为或状态。例如，‘他时常提醒我’，这里的‘时常’修饰动词‘提醒’，表示他经常提醒我。也可以放在句首或句末，但放在动词前是最常见的用法。它强调的是一种相对固定的、可预期的频率，而不是随意的或偶然的。
在描述个人习惯时，例如‘我时常去公园散步’；在谈论天气变化时，如‘南方时常下雨’；在描述人际关系或情感时，如‘我们时常联系’；在描述社会现象时，如‘现在时常能看到共享单车’。总的来说，任何需要表达‘经常发生’的场合都可以考虑使用‘时常’。
‘时常’与‘经常’（jīngcháng）、‘常常’（chángcháng）意思非常接近，都可以表示频率高。在很多情况下，它们可以互换使用。但细微的差别在于：‘经常’和‘常常’可能更强调次数的累积，而‘时常’则更侧重于一种规律性的、不间断的出现感。例如，‘我经常迟到’可能强调的是迟到的次数很多，而‘我时常迟到’则可能暗示迟到已经成为一种习惯性的、不间断的现象。‘偶尔’（ǒu'ěr）是‘时常’的反义词，表示频率很低，很少发生。
Examples
他时常告诫我们要诚实。
everydayHe often admonishes us to be honest.
在山区，时常会遇到崎岖的山路。
descriptiveIn mountainous areas, rugged paths are frequently encountered.
别担心，我时常会去看望爷爷奶奶。
informalDon't worry, I visit my grandparents often.
随着科技发展，我们时常会接触到新的信息。
generalWith technological development, we constantly encounter new information.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
时常发生
occur often
时常联系
keep in touch often
时常想起
often think of
Often Confused With
'时常' and '经常' (jīngcháng) are very similar and often interchangeable, both meaning 'often' or 'frequently'. However, '时常' can sometimes imply a slightly more regular or patterned occurrence, while '经常' might focus more on the sheer number of times something happens.
'常常' (chángcháng) is another synonym for 'often' and is very close in meaning to '经常'. Like '经常', it emphasizes frequency. '时常' might feel slightly more literary or formal than '常常' in some contexts, but generally, they are used interchangeably in everyday speech.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
While '时常' is a common adverb, it's generally neutral in register. It can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It fits well in descriptive contexts, talking about habits, or recurring events. Avoid using it for extremely rare or extremely constant occurrences.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '时常' for events that happen only once in a while, or they might confuse its slightly more regular connotation with the simple frequency emphasis of '经常' or '常常'. Ensure the context implies a degree of regularity.
Tips
Emphasize Regularity
Use '时常' when you want to highlight that something happens on a regular basis, not just randomly.
Avoid Extreme Frequency
Don't use '时常' for things that happen every single day without fail, or things that happen only once in a blue moon.
Common in Descriptions
Native speakers often use '时常' to describe habits, weather patterns, or recurring events in everyday life.
Word Origin
The word '时常' combines '时' (shí), meaning 'time' or 'season', and '常' (cháng), meaning 'often' or 'constant'. Together, they literally suggest 'time often' or 'often in time', indicating frequency.
Cultural Context
The concept of regularity and recurrence is important in many cultures. '时常' reflects this by describing predictable patterns in daily life, nature, or social interactions, making communication about these patterns efficient.
Memory Tip
Think of '时常' as 'time' (时) 'often' (常) - meaning 'time often passes this way' or 'this happens often in time'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘时常’和‘经常’在很多情况下可以互换，都表示频率高。但‘时常’更侧重于一种规律性、不间断的出现，而‘经常’可能更强调次数的累积。例如，‘他时常来看我’可能意味着他有规律地来，而‘他经常来看我’可能只是说他来的次数很多。
‘时常’最常见的用法是放在动词或形容词前面，如‘时常发生’。它也可以放在句首或句末，但不如放在动词前普遍。
‘时常’适用于大多数日常场合，包括口语和书面语。它是一个比较中性的词，不分正式或非正式，但听起来比‘经常’稍微书面化一点点。
‘时常’最直接的反义词是‘偶尔’（ǒu'ěr），表示频率很低，很少发生。其他如‘不常’（bù cháng）也表示频率不高。
Test Yourself
他工作很努力，______加班。 (a) 时常 (b) 偶尔 (c) 从不 (d) 总是
根据句意，他工作努力，所以加班是经常发生的，‘时常’最符合语境。
夏天，这里______有雷阵雨。
‘时常’表示夏天有雷阵雨的频率较高且有规律性，比‘偶尔’更频繁，比‘总是’更准确。
他 / 提醒我 / 时常 / 帮助
‘时常’作副词修饰动词‘提醒’，表示‘他经常提醒我’，‘帮助’是提醒的内容。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '时常' to describe actions or states that happen frequently and regularly.
- Means often or frequently.
- Used for regular, high-frequency actions/states.
- Common in daily conversations and descriptions.
Emphasize Regularity
Use '时常' when you want to highlight that something happens on a regular basis, not just randomly.
Avoid Extreme Frequency
Don't use '时常' for things that happen every single day without fail, or things that happen only once in a blue moon.
Common in Descriptions
Native speakers often use '时常' to describe habits, weather patterns, or recurring events in everyday life.
Examples
4 of 4他时常告诫我们要诚实。
He often admonishes us to be honest.
在山区，时常会遇到崎岖的山路。
In mountainous areas, rugged paths are frequently encountered.
别担心，我时常会去看望爷爷奶奶。
Don't worry, I visit my grandparents often.
随着科技发展，我们时常会接触到新的信息。
With technological development, we constantly encounter new information.
