Usage note
往往表示经常、常常。
wǎng wǎng biǎo shì jīng cháng 、 cháng cháng。
Often means frequently.
Context note
往往常用于书面语和总结。
wǎng wǎng cháng yòng yú shū miàn yǔ hé zǒng jié。
Often appears in written language and summaries.
5 examples
他往往很早起床。
tā wǎng wǎng hěn zǎo qǐ chuáng。
He often gets up early.
这个问题往往很难。
zhè ge wèn tí wǎng wǎng hěn nán。
This problem is often hard.
天气好的时候，人们往往出门。
tiān qì hǎo de shí hòu， rén men wǎng wǎng chū mén。
When the weather is good, people often go out.
努力往往会有结果。
nǔ lì wǎng wǎng huì yǒu jié guǒ。
Hard work often leads to results.
这类事情往往需要时间。
zhè lèi shì qíng wǎng wǎng xū yào shí jiān。
This kind of thing often takes time.
5 mini stories
他往往先做最难的题。
tā wǎng wǎng xiān zuò zuì nán de tí。
He often does the hardest questions first.
周末的时候，公园往往很热闹。
zhōu mò de shí hòu， gōng yuán wǎng wǎng hěn rè nào。
On weekends, parks are often lively.
这个地方往往在早上很安静。
zhè ge dì fāng wǎng wǎng zài zǎo shàng hěn ān jìng。
This place is often quiet in the morning.
他们往往一起吃饭。
tā men wǎng wǎng yì qǐ chī fàn。
They often eat together.
下雨时，路上往往很滑。
xià yǔ shí， lù shang wǎng wǎng hěn huá。
When it rains, the road is often slippery.
Mini dialogue
周末活动
A
你周末往往做什么？
Nǐ zhōumò wǎngwǎng zuò shénme?
What do you often do on weekends?
B
我往往去公园玩。
Wǒ wǎngwǎng qù gōngyuán wán.
I often go to the park to play.
天气变化
A
春天往往下雨吗？
Chūntiān wǎngwǎng xià yǔ ma?
Does it often rain in spring?
B
是的，春天往往下雨。
Shì de, chūntiān wǎngwǎng xià yǔ.
Yes, it often rains in spring.
Related words and contrasts
similar
经常
jīngcháng
often; frequently
经常 is more common in everyday speech; 往往 is used for habitual situations or general tendencies.
similar
总是
zǒngshì
always
总是 means 'always', stronger than 往往. 往往 does not mean every single time.
contrast
有时
yǒushí
sometimes
有时 means 'sometimes', which is less frequent than 往往.