Frequency & Repetition
频率/重复副词
Talk about habits and ask to do things again
Frequency adverbs go before the verb to say how often something happens. 再 before a verb means "do it again" (in the future).
再 is for FUTURE repetition ("do it again later"). For past repetition ("did it again"), you would use 又 — but that comes later in HSK.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Frequency & Repetition (频率/重复副词)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 频率/重复副词 pattern
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Understanding 频率/重复副词
How do you talk about habits, routines, and doing things over? Frequency adverbs are the answer. 常/常常 tell your listener "this is something I do regularly." 再 opens the door to round two: "Let's do it AGAIN." These words let you paint a picture of your lifestyle, your routines, and your plans — and they're some of the most-used words in daily Chinese conversation. Think about how often you use words like "usually," "always," "often," and "again" in English — the Chinese equivalents are just as common. The beautiful thing is that Chinese frequency words are straightforward: they slot in before the verb and they do not change the structure of the sentence at all. No conjugation, no special endings, just drop the word in and go. Once you master these, you can describe your entire daily routine, talk about your hobbies, and make plans to repeat fun activities.
Key Points
- 常 (cháng) / 常常 (chángcháng) = often / frequently. They're interchangeable; 常常 is slightly more emphatic.
- 再 (zài) = again (for future actions). 我们再去吧 = "Let's go again."
- Frequency adverbs go BEFORE the verb, AFTER the subject.
- 再 can also mean "then" (in sequence, as seen in lesson 11) — context tells you which meaning applies.
- Negation: 不常 = "not often"; 别再 = "don't do it again."
- 总是 (zǒngshì) = always. Stronger than 常常 — indicates something that happens without exception.
- 每天 (měitiān) = every day. While technically a time word, it often pairs with frequency adverbs: 我每天都看书 (I read every day).
- 又 (yòu) = again (for past actions). While 再 is for the future, 又 is for something that already happened again. You will use 又 more at HSK 2, but it is good to know it exists now.
When leaving a Chinese friend's home, you might hear 常来玩！(Come hang out often!). This is a warm, genuine invitation — take it to heart and visit again. Building friendships in China often revolves around repeated, casual get-togethers.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他常去饭店吃饭。
He often eats at restaurants.
我们明天再去看吧。
Let's go see it again tomorrow.
Future repetition
她常常在图书馆学习。
She often studies at the library.
请再说一次。
Please say it again.
Extremely useful phrase for learners!
我不常喝咖啡。
I don't often drink coffee.
欢迎再来！
Welcome to come again!
Common farewell in stores and restaurants
我每天都喝咖啡。
I drink coffee every day.
Describing a daily habit — at work or at home
他总是迟到。
He is always late.
Describing someone's consistent behavior — at school or work
我们常常一起吃午饭。
We often eat lunch together.
Work friends — regular habit
别再玩手机了，去睡觉吧。
Stop playing with your phone and go to sleep.
别再 = "don't do it again" — a gentle command
Common Mistakes
Frequency adverbs go BEFORE the verb, not after it. 常 modifies 去, so it sits right in front of 去.
再 is for FUTURE repetition ("I'll go again"). For something that ALREADY happened again, use 又. Since 昨天 is past, 又 is correct.
请 (please) comes first as a polite opener, then 再 sits directly before the verb 说.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Memorize 请再说一次 (Please say it again) immediately — it's the #1 survival phrase for any language learner in China.
Remember: 再 = future ("again later"); 又 = past ("again already"). At HSK 1, focus on 再 — you'll meet 又 soon.
Make a habit of using 常 when describing your routines: 我常喝茶，我常去图书馆，我常跟朋友一起吃饭。It's great practice.
Frequency ladder from low to high: 不常 (seldom) → 有时 (sometimes) → 常/常常 (often) → 总是 (always). Use this scale to describe habits accurately.
When leaving a friend's house, listen for 常来玩！(Come hang out often!) — it is one of the warmest Chinese farewells and they really do mean it.
Homework
Write a "day in my life" paragraph describing your habits. Use 常/常常 for things you do regularly and 不常 for things you rarely do. Then write three invitations using 再 (e.g., 我们再一起吃饭吧！).