通常 (tōng cháng) vs 时常 (shí cháng) — usually vs often

通常 (tōngcháng) / 时常 (shícháng) + Verb/Adj.

HSK 53.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what通常时常Action

Rule structure

通常 (tōngcháng) means "usually, as a rule" and describes the normal pattern. 时常 (shícháng) means "often, from time to time" and stresses repeated occurrence. Both adverbs go before the verb or adjective.

Examples

我通常坐地铁上班,时常遇到同事。

Wǒ tōngcháng zuò dìtiě shàng bān, shícháng yùdào tóngshì.

I usually take the subway to work and often run into colleagues.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “usually vs often” in Chinese with 通常 vs 时常?

Use the structure: 通常 (tōngcháng) / 时常 (shícháng) + Verb/Adj.. For example: 我通常坐地铁上班,时常遇到同事。 — “I usually take the subway to work and often run into colleagues”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我通常坐地铁上班,时常遇到同事。 — “I usually take the subway to work and often run into colleagues”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules