wong5 wong5往往
Jyutpingwong5 wong5
Yalewóhng wóhng
Definition
Often; frequently; in many cases.
neutraltime
How it's used
Unlike the more common spoken terms 經常 or 成日, 往往 carries a slightly more analytical or observational tone. It is typically used to describe patterns or tendencies that occur over time rather than just frequent individual actions. You will frequently encounter it in formal writing or when someone is making a general statement about how life or situations tend to unfold.
Examples
He often shows up at the very end.
Why do you often have to do it that way?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 往往 interchangeably with 成日, but they are not always synonyms. Use 成日 for repeated personal habits or daily occurrences, whereas 往往 is better suited for objective observations about recurring trends or logical outcomes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
