往往 (wǎngwǎng)

往往 means "often" or "as a rule," describing a pattern that has been observed to repeat. Unlike 通常 (which states a neutral norm), 往往 draws on experience to note a tendency — it often carries a subtle explanatory or analytical tone.

Meanings

[adverb] Often; frequently; as a rule; tend to — describes a recurring tendency or pattern observed from experience.

Compare 往往 vs 常常

Word	Use
往往	Based on observed patterns; often used with conditions or explanations (e.g., 在…情况下，往往…)
常常	Simple high frequency; interchangeable with 经常 in most cases

Example Sentences

遇到困难时，他往往先冷静下来再思考。 Yùdào kùnnán shí, tā wǎngwǎng xiān lěngjìng xià lái zài sīkǎo. When he encounters difficulties, he tends to calm down first before thinking it through.

好的机会往往来得不是时候。 Hǎo de jīhuì wǎngwǎng lái de bú shì shíhòu. Good opportunities often come at inconvenient times.

天气越冷，往往越容易感冒。 Tiānqì yuè lěng, wǎngwǎng yuè róngyì gǎnmào. The colder the weather, the more likely one tends to catch a cold.

成功的人往往比别人更努力。 Chénggōng de rén wǎngwǎng bǐ biérén gèng nǔlì. Successful people often work harder than others.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
往往会	tends to; often will
往往如此	often the case; tends to be so
往往容易	often tends to be easy/likely
在…情况下往往	in… situations, one often…
往往意味着	often means/implies

Memory Hook

往 means "to go toward / the past." Repeated twice, 往往 paints a picture of the same thing going in the same direction over and over again — a recurring pattern from the past that keeps repeating.