wǎngcháng: 往常 - As Usual (in the past), Formerly, As it Used to Be

• Keywords: 往常, wangchang, wang chang, 往常 meaning, what does 往常 mean, Chinese for as usual, Chinese for in the past, 往常 vs 平常, how to use 往常, 往常 grammar, formerly in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the Chinese word 往常 (wǎngcháng), meaning 'as usual' or 'in the past'. This guide breaks down how 往常 is used to contrast past habits or situations with the present, which is different from the similar word 平常 (píngcháng). Discover cultural nuances, practical examples, and common mistakes to master this essential HSK 4 vocabulary word for everyday conversation in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wǎngcháng
• Part of Speech: Noun (Time Word) / Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Refers to a habitual state or time in the past, typically used to contrast with the present.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 往常 (wǎngcháng) as “how things used to be” or “back in the old days.” It's not just “usual”; it specifically points to a routine or state that existed in the past. You use it when you're noticing that things are different now. For example, if a bustling street is suddenly quiet, you might say, “It's not as lively as it used to be (不如往常热闹).” It always carries a sense of comparison between a past norm and the current situation.

• 往 (wǎng): This character means “to go towards,” “in the direction of,” or “past/former.” You can think of its components as a “lord” (主) on his “way” (彳) somewhere, often implying a journey towards a destination or a point in time, including the past.
• 常 (cháng): This character means “common,” “usual,” “constant,” or “often.” It originally depicted a long banner, something that is always present and a part of the norm.
• Combined Meaning: Together, 往常 (wǎngcháng) literally means “towards the usual (of the past).” It paints a picture of looking back (往) at a period that was normal or regular (常) at that time. This is why it so strongly connects to a past routine that is no longer the current reality.

While not a deeply philosophical term, 往常 taps into the universal human tendency to reflect on change by comparing the present with the past. In English, we might say, “The park is quiet today.” A Chinese speaker might add a layer of comparison by saying, “公园今天不像往常那么热闹” (The park today isn't as lively as it used to be). This explicitly brings the past into the present observation. This highlights a subtle but common feature in communication: framing present observations against a backdrop of past experience. It's less about complex cultural values and more about a temporal awareness—a sense that life is a continuous stream of change, and the “norm” is not static. Using 往常 allows a speaker to efficiently express surprise, nostalgia, or disappointment about a deviation from a previously established pattern.

往常 is a common word in both spoken and written Chinese. It's used whenever you observe a change from a past routine.

• Making Comparisons: Its primary use is in comparative structures.
  • `和往常不同 (hé wǎngcháng bùtóng)` - “different from how it used to be”
  • `不如往常 (bùrú wǎngcháng)…` - “not as… as it used to be”
  • `像往常一样 (xiàng wǎngcháng yīyàng)` - “just like it used to be”
• Connotation: The word itself is neutral, but the context gives it feeling.
  • Nostalgic: “今年的春节没有往常热闹。” (This Spring Festival isn't as lively as in years past.)
  • Surprised/Concerned: “他今天很安静，跟往常很不一样。” (He's very quiet today, very different from his usual self.)
• Formality: It's a neutral term, appropriate for everything from casual chats with friends to more formal, written reports.

• Example 1:
  • 他今天很安静，不像往常那么多话。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān hěn ānjìng, bùxiàng wǎngcháng nàme duō huà.
  • English: He is very quiet today, not as talkative as he usually is (in the past).
  • Analysis: This is a classic use of 往常. It highlights a change in someone's behavior by comparing today's quietness to their previously established talkative nature.
• Example 2:
  • 她像往常一样，早上六点就起床锻炼了。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiàng wǎngcháng yīyàng, zǎoshang liù diǎn jiù qǐchuáng duànliàn le.
  • English: Just as she always has, she got up at 6 AM to exercise.
  • Analysis: Here, `像往常一样` means the past routine has *not* changed. It emphasizes the consistency of her habit over time.
• Example 3:
  • 今年的夏天好像不如往常热。
  • Pinyin: Jīnnián de xiàtiān hǎoxiàng bùrú wǎngcháng rè.
  • English: This summer doesn't seem as hot as it usually is.
  • Analysis: The structure `不如往常…` (bùrú wǎngcháng…) is very common for making a negative comparison, meaning “not as… as it used to be.”
• Example 4:
  • 往常这个时候，这条街上早就挤满了人。
  • Pinyin: Wǎngcháng zhège shíhòu, zhè tiáo jiē shàng zǎo jiù jǐ mǎn le rén.
  • English: In the past, at this time, this street would have already been packed with people.
  • Analysis: 往常 can be used at the beginning of a sentence as a time word to set a scene in the past, which is then contrasted with the (implied) present situation.
• Example 5:
  • 他一反往常的沉默，在会议上主动发言了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yī fǎn wǎngcháng de chénmò, zài huìyì shàng zhǔdòng fāyán le.
  • English: Breaking his usual silence, he took the initiative to speak at the meeting.
  • Analysis: `一反往常` (yī fǎn wǎngcháng) is a set phrase meaning “contrary to the usual way” or “unusually.” It's used to describe an action that is the complete opposite of past behavior.
• Example 6:
  • 这家餐厅的生意和往常一样好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de shēngyì hé wǎngcháng yīyàng hǎo.
  • English: This restaurant's business is as good as it's always been.
  • Analysis: Similar to example 2, this confirms that a situation has remained consistent with its past state.
• Example 7:
  • 老板今天的心情似乎与往常不同。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn jīntiān de xīnqíng sìhū yǔ wǎngcháng bùtóng.
  • English: The boss's mood today seems to be different from usual.
  • Analysis: `与往常不同` (yǔ wǎngcháng bùtóng) is a slightly more formal way of saying `和往常不同`, perfect for noticing a subtle change.
• Example 8:
  • 根据往常的经验，这个项目最少需要三个月。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù wǎngcháng de jīngyàn, zhège xiàngmù zuìshǎo xūyào sān gè yuè.
  • English: According to past experience, this project requires at least three months.
  • Analysis: Here, 往常 is used as an adjective to modify “experience” (经验), meaning “the experience from past times.”
• Example 9:
  • 虽然下着大雪，但公交车服务仍按往常进行。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán xiàzhe dàxuě, dàn gōngjiāochē fúwù réng àn wǎngcháng jìnxíng.
  • English: Although it was snowing heavily, the bus service proceeded as usual.
  • Analysis: `按往常` (àn wǎngcháng) means “according to the usual way.” It's similar to `照常` (zhàocháng).
• Example 10:
  • 他今天的表现失常了，没有发挥出往常的水平。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān de biǎoxiàn shīcháng le, méiyǒu fāhuī chū wǎngcháng de shuǐpíng.
  • English: His performance today was abnormal; he didn't perform at his usual level.
  • Analysis: This example clearly shows the contrast. His “usual level” (往常的水平) is a benchmark from the past against which his current poor performance is measured.

The biggest point of confusion for learners is the difference between 往常 and 平常 (píngcháng). They can both translate to “usual,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 往常 (wǎngcháng) vs. 平常 (píngcháng)
  • 往常 (wǎngcháng): Looks backward. It refers to a past norm and almost always implies a contrast with the present. Think “as it used to be.”
  • 平常 (píngcháng): Refers to a general or current habit. It means “usually” or “ordinarily” without any necessary contrast to the present. Think “what is typically true.”
• Common Mistake: Using 往常 for a general, ongoing habit.
  • Incorrect: 我往常七点起床。 (Wǒ wǎngcháng qī diǎn qǐchuáng.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sentence just states a general habit. Unless you are contrasting it with something (“…but today I got up at 10”), you should use 平常.
  • Correct: 我平常七点起床。 (Wǒ píngcháng qī diǎn qǐchuáng.) → “I usually get up at 7.”
• Rule of Thumb: If you can say “as it used to be” or “in the past,” use 往常. If you can say “typically” or “generally,” use 平常.

• `平常` (píngcháng) - The most important related term. Means “usually” or “ordinary” and refers to a general or current habit without the strong past-vs-present contrast of 往常.
• `平时` (píngshí) - “Normally,” “in normal times.” Very similar to `平常` and often interchangeable with it.
• `通常` (tōngcháng) - “Usually,” “generally.” A bit more formal than `平常` or `平时`, often used in written or more formal statements.
• `以前` (yǐqián) - “Before,” “in the past,” “formerly.” A much broader term for any time in the past. 往常 refers to a specific habitual time in the past.
• `过去` (guòqù) - “The past.” A noun referring to the past as a general concept.
• `照常` (zhàocháng) - “As usual,” “in the same old way.” Implies continuing a routine *despite* an interruption or special circumstance (e.g., “The store will be open as usual during the holiday.”).
• `一如既往` (yī rú jì wǎng) - A formal chengyu (idiom) meaning “just as in the past,” “as always.” It's an emphatic and literary way of saying `像往常一样`.
• `今非昔比` (jīn fēi xī bǐ) - A chengyu meaning “the present cannot compare to the past.” It describes a huge change, often for the better, capturing the spirit of comparison that 往常 often sets up.