Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
时常(時常)shícháng(shi2chang2)
时常 (shí cháng) means 'often' or 'frequently' in English. It describes actions or events that happen regularly or repeatedly over time. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to convey the idea of recurrence.
Frequency#8447DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time and frequency is important in daily life, influencing schedules and routines. The use of 时常 reflects a value placed on regularity, which can be seen in traditional practices such as tea ceremonies or family gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of '时' (time) and '常' (often) as if you are checking the clock regularly. Imagine a clock that ticks often, reminding you of how frequently events happen at certain times.
Meanings of 时常
shícháng(shi2chang2)
1often
2frequently
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 时常
时常Simplified
時常Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#8447Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 时常
Podcast: 时常
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 时常
Quick Contrast
常常 (chángcháng) vs 时常 (shícháng): use 时常 for a slightly more formal tone; 常常 is more casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '时' (time) and '常' (often) as if you are checking the clock regularly. Imagine a clock that ticks often, reminding you of how frequently events happen at certain times.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 时常 with 常常 (cháng cháng), which has a similar meaning but is more commonly used in conversational contexts. 时常 is slightly more formal and may appear in written texts. Avoid using it to imply something that happens only occasionally.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 时常 connects with other adverbs of frequency, such as 经常 (jīng cháng) and 常常 (cháng cháng). Students should focus on understanding the subtle differences in usage and context between these terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time and frequency is important in daily life, influencing schedules and routines. The use of 时常 reflects a value placed on regularity, which can be seen in traditional practices such as tea ceremonies or family gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 时常 with occasionally used expressions like 有时 (yǒu shí), which means 'sometimes.' For instance, saying '我时常去商店' (I often go to the store) is correct, but saying '我有时常去商店' is incorrect; it should be '我有时去商店.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 时常
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 时常 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 时常 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 时常
时常 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.
wǒ jù jué jiē shòu bāng zhù de shí hòu shí cháng xiǎn dé cū lǔ wú lǐ。
I was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.
2
他们时常陷入枯燥的日常事务之中。
tā mén shí cháng xiàn rù kū zào de rì cháng shì wù zhī zhōng。
All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
3
时常翻动一下花圃和草坪四周会让被雨水压紧的土壤松动松动。
shí cháng fān dòng yī xià huā pǔ hé cǎo píng sì zhōu huì ràng bèi yǔ shuǐ yā jǐn de tǔ rǎng sōng dòng sōng dòng。
Regular forking of beds and borders relieves the compaction caused by rain.
4
他在这些形形色色的东西中间走着,时常东闪西避.
tā zài zhè xiē xíng xíng sè sè de dōng xī zhōng jiān zǒu zháo, , shí cháng dōng shǎn xī.
He recoiled from side to side between the various objects.
5
她声称,真正的罪行是时常对入室盗窃者和抢窃者判刑过轻.
tā shēng chēng, , zhēn zhèng de zuì háng shì shí cháng duì rù shì dào qiè zhě hé qiāng qiè zhě pàn xíng guò.
She claimed that the real crime is that burglars and muggers usually get a light sentence.
6
我打电话时常常信手乱画。
wǒ dǎ diàn huà shí cháng cháng xìn shǒu luàn huà。
I often doodle when I'm on the phone.
7
以前,她时常整天穿着旧牛仔裤和运动衫闲逛.
yǐ qián, , tā shí cháng zhěng tiān chuān zháo jiù niú zī kù hé yùn dòng shān xián.
She used to slop around all day in old jeans and sweatshirts.
8
很多野生动物园都时常遭到偷猎之徒的侵入。
hěn duō yě shēng dòng wù yuán dū shí cháng zāo dào tōu liè zhī tú de qīn rù。
Many wildlife parks are regularly invaded by people poaching game.
9
他红润的脸庞仍旧时常笑得堆起褶子。
tā hóng rùn de liǎn páng réng jiù shí cháng xiào dé duī qǐ zhě zǐ。
His ruddy face still routinely creases with mirth.
Cultural Notes for 时常
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of time and frequency is important in daily life, influencing schedules and routines. The use of 时常 reflects a value placed on regularity, which can be seen in traditional practices such as tea ceremonies or family gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 时常
时常 is slightly more formal and often found in written Chinese, while 常常 is more colloquial and used in everyday conversation.
Yes, 时常 is appropriate for formal writing, such as letters or reports, to indicate frequency.
No, 时常 can refer to any actions, whether positive or negative, as long as they occur frequently.
