A lower skirt or waist garment made of cloth. Constant, normal, regular, common; often, always. Cloth (巾) hung in a hall (尚) as an unchanging standard.
In everyday speech, a bare 常 before a verb sounds clipped and bookish. People double it up: 常常.
When you negate with 不, use the single 常. Doubling it sounds clunky.
Yes, but it sounds like a news anchor. In daily chat, people double it up: 常常.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday speech | 我常常去那儿。 | 我常去那儿。 |
| Written / formal | 他常去图书馆。 | 他常常去图书馆。 (sounds too chatty in a report) |
Use 不常. Doubling 常 is for positive 'often', not after 不.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Positive 'often' | 他常常来。 | 他来常。 |
| Negative 'not often' | 他不常来。 | 他不常常来。 |
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
高先明听了，觉得 非常 高兴。
安小语 非常 高兴，对高先明说：“谢谢你！
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
可是今年很奇怪，天上很少有云，也很少下雨，一直 非常 热。
因为风把烟吹到城里，空气变得 非常 差，很多人开始咳嗽，小李也是其中一个。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
高友朋是一个 非常 好的人。
我 非常 高兴。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
常大中 在一个饭店里工作。
老先生看看大中， 非常 高兴。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
一天晚上，外边下大雨，天气 非常 冷。
老先生看见大中来了， 非常 高兴。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
事实上，油炸方便面的含油量比中国人传统 常吃的 油条，以及现在年轻人喜欢的炸薯条、炸土豆片什么的低很多，只是它们的二分之一不到。
我们 通常 说，加热食品的时候，最高不能超过200℃。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
听见有人和我说话，我觉得 非常 高兴。”
老先生听了， 非常 高兴。
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
她们说小苹果 非常 好吃。
In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.
钱学中喜欢吃， 经常 找爸妈要钱买东西吃。
This playful poem will make you smile as you explore how Chinese words like 'computer' and 'phone' can be funnier than they seem. Get ready to enjoy simple HSK 1 vocabulary and a twist of logic!
超市 非常 小，电脑没脑子，电话不能打。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
这句俗语 通常 是用来笑话人的。
Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.
最 常见 ！
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
看病 非常 贵，吃饭不便宜。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
他们 常用 北京话说：新鲜啊！
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
胡之适 常 记着这位小人物朋友。
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