经常
often; frequently
jīngcháng
What does 经常 mean?
经常 (jīngcháng) is an adverb meaning 'often,' 'frequently,' or 'regularly.' It describes habitual or repeated actions and goes BEFORE the verb: 我经常去 (I often go), not 我去经常. Unlike English 'often,' which can sit at the end of a sentence, 经常 must precede the verb (or auxiliary verb). It's slightly stronger and more 'pattern-like' than 常常 (chángcháng) — 经常 suggests an established habit or recurring routine, while 常常 is closer to casual 'often / many times.'
For negation, native speakers say 不经常 (not often) or the more idiomatic 不常 (bù cháng). Avoid 没经常 — Chinese uses 不 with habitual adverbs, not 没. 经常 also appears as an adjective in written Chinese meaning 'regular / ongoing' (经常性的工作 = regular ongoing work), but the adverbial use is the one HSK 3 learners need.
Note:
Character breakdown
to pass through; classic; warp (of fabric)
often; ordinary; constant
Memory hook: 经 ('passing through over and over') + 常 ('regularly') — something that keeps cycling through is happening often.
Example sentences
我经常去图书馆。
Wǒ jīngcháng qù túshūguǎn.
I often go to the library.
neutral
他经常迟到。
Tā jīngcháng chídào.
He's often late.
spoken
你经常运动吗？
Nǐ jīngcháng yùndòng ma?
Do you exercise often?
spoken
我们经常一起吃饭。
Wǒmen jīngcháng yìqǐ chīfàn.
We often eat together.
neutral
她不经常看电视。
Tā bù jīngcháng kàn diànshì.
She doesn't often watch TV.
neutral
Common phrases with 经常
Synonyms
常常 is more spoken and slightly lighter — 'often,' 'frequently.' 经常 implies a steadier pattern or habit. Both are interchangeable in most sentences; 经常 sounds a touch more grown-up.