Describes what was usual or habitual in the past, often implying a change.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates habitual past actions or states.
- Contrasts past normality with present changes.
- Useful for storytelling and describing past routines.
Overview
“往常”是一个副词，用来描述过去经常发生或习惯性的情况。它强调的是一种过去的常态，与现在或某个特定时间点的状态形成对比。使用“往常”可以暗示情况发生了变化，或者仅仅是为了说明过去的行为模式。
“往常”通常放在动词或形容词前面，或者在句子开头/结尾，用来修饰整个句子或句子的一部分。它可以与表示时间的词语连用，如“去年”、“以前”等，也可以单独使用。在句子中，“往常”起到了连接过去与现在、突出变化的语用功能。
这个词常用于描述个人习惯、生活方式的变化，或者事件的常规发生情况。例如，描述一个人以前的生活习惯，或者某个地方过去常见的景象。在叙述故事或回忆往事时，“往常”是一个非常实用的词。
“一向”表示从过去到现在一直如此，强调持续性，而“往常”则暗示了过去的习惯性，可能与现在不同。
“平常”可以指一般、普通，也可以指平时，与“往常”在强调过去习惯性方面有所不同。“往常”更具时间上的回溯性。
“通常”更侧重于一般情况或普遍规律，不一定强调与过去的对比。“往常”则明确指向过去经常发生的情况。
Examples
往常这个时候，公园里人都很多，但今天却格外冷清。
everydayAt this time of year, the park is usually crowded, but today it's unusually deserted.
他往常在学术会议上发言都十分严谨，但这次的报告却显得有些随意。
academicHe is usually very rigorous when speaking at academic conferences, but this report seemed somewhat casual.
我往常都是自己做饭，今天破例和朋友出去吃了。
informalI usually cook for myself, but today I made an exception and went out to eat with friends.
往常，这条河流的水位都比较稳定，但今年雨季来得早，水位上涨很快。
descriptiveNormally, the water level of this river is quite stable, but the rainy season came early this year, and the water level rose rapidly.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
跟往常一样
the same as usual
不像往常
not like usual
比往常更
more than usual
Often Confused With
'往常' specifically refers to habitual actions or states in the past, often implying a contrast with the present. '通常' refers to general rules, common occurrences, or what is typical in a broader sense, without necessarily implying a past-vs-present contrast.
'平常' can mean 'ordinary', 'normal', or 'usually'. When used to mean 'usually', it's similar to '往常' but '往常' more strongly emphasizes the habitual nature in the past and the potential for change.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '往常' when you want to emphasize a past routine or habit, especially when contrasting it with the present situation. It implies a sense of 'how things used to be'. It is a common adverbial phrase found in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Students sometimes confuse '往常' with words like '通常' or '平常' when the context clearly requires emphasizing a past habit that may no longer hold true. Ensure the contrast with the present is intended or implied when using '往常'.
Tips
Highlighting Past Routines
Use '往常' to vividly describe how things used to be. It adds depth when contrasting with the present.
Avoid Overuse for Present
Be careful not to use '往常' when describing current habits. It specifically refers to the past.
Nostalgia and Change
The concept of '往常' often carries a sense of nostalgia or reflection on societal/personal changes over time.
Word Origin
The word '往常' (wǎng cháng) combines '往' (wǎng), meaning 'to go', 'past', or 'towards', and '常' (cháng), meaning 'common', 'frequent', or 'usual'. Together, they denote what was common or usual in the past.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, reminiscing about the past and noting changes is common. '往常' fits naturally into narratives that explore personal growth, societal shifts, or the passage of time.
Memory Tip
Think of '往常' as '往' (towards/past) + '常' (often/usual). It's about looking towards the 'usual' things of the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“往常”强调的是过去经常发生的情况，暗示现在可能已经改变。“通常”则表示一般情况或普遍规律，不一定涉及时间上的对比。
“往常”通常放在动词或形容词前，也可以放在句首或句末，用来修饰句子或句子的一部分。
适合在描述过去的生活习惯、回忆往事、对比今昔变化等语境下使用。
不一定。虽然“往常”常常用来暗示变化，但有时也仅仅是为了说明过去的一种习惯或常态，不一定排斥现在依然如此。
Test Yourself
他_______都起得很早，但最近几个月睡得很晚。
这里需要表示过去经常发生的习惯，与现在形成对比，因此“往常”最合适。
这个小镇往常很安静，但节日期间会变得非常热闹。
“往常”强调的是过去的一种常态（安静），与节日期间的热闹形成对比，表示一种变化或特定情况下的不同。
请用“往常”、“她”、“下班后”、“在家”、“休息”和“看书”来组成一个句子。
“往常”修饰“下班后在家看书休息”这一习惯性动作，放在句子的合适位置。
Score: /3
Summary
Describes what was usual or habitual in the past, often implying a change.
- Indicates habitual past actions or states.
- Contrasts past normality with present changes.
- Useful for storytelling and describing past routines.
Highlighting Past Routines
Use '往常' to vividly describe how things used to be. It adds depth when contrasting with the present.
Avoid Overuse for Present
Be careful not to use '往常' when describing current habits. It specifically refers to the past.
Nostalgia and Change
The concept of '往常' often carries a sense of nostalgia or reflection on societal/personal changes over time.
Examples
4 of 4往常这个时候，公园里人都很多，但今天却格外冷清。
At this time of year, the park is usually crowded, but today it's unusually deserted.
他往常在学术会议上发言都十分严谨，但这次的报告却显得有些随意。
He is usually very rigorous when speaking at academic conferences, but this report seemed somewhat casual.
我往常都是自己做饭，今天破例和朋友出去吃了。
I usually cook for myself, but today I made an exception and went out to eat with friends.
往常，这条河流的水位都比较稳定，但今年雨季来得早，水位上涨很快。
Normally, the water level of this river is quite stable, but the rainy season came early this year, and the water level rose rapidly.
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未免
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