All of them can be translated into “often” in English. But there are slight differences in use.
As an adverb, it indicates that an event occurs frequently or regularly but not constantly, and the intervals between occurrences are not long. It is generally used as an adverbial.
Subject + 时常 + Verb phrase
e.g.
我时常想起那天的事情。(Wǒ shícháng xiǎngqǐ nà tiān de shìqíng.) I often think of the events of that day.
他时常提到他的家乡。(Tā shícháng tí dào tā de jiāxiāng.) He often mentions his hometown.
我时常想念远方的朋友。(Wǒ shícháng xiǎngniàn yuǎnfāng de péngyǒu.) I often miss friends who are far away.
时常锻炼对健康有益。(Shícháng duànliàn duì jiànkāng yǒuyì.) – Regular exercise is beneficial to health.
As an adverb
Subject + 时刻 + Verb phrase
e.g.
他时刻提醒自己要谦虚。(Tā shíkè tíxǐng zìjǐ yào qiānxū.) He constantly reminds himself to be humble.
我时刻准备着接受新的挑战。(Wǒ shíkè zhǔnbèi zhe jiēshòu xīn de tiǎozhàn.) I am always ready to face new challenges.
战士们时刻不忘自己的职责。(Zhànshìmen shíkè bù wàng zìjǐ de zhízé.) The soldiers never forget their duties at any moment.
妈妈的嘱咐他时刻记在心里。(Māmā de zhǔfù tā shíkè jì zài xīn lǐ.) He always keeps his mother’s advice in his heart.
e.g.
妈妈心里时时刻刻都思念着宝宝。(Māmā xīnlǐ shíshí kèkè dōu sīniàn zhe bǎobǎo.) Mom is always thinking of her baby in her heart.
时时刻刻都要注意安全。(Shíshí kèkè dōu yào zhùyì ānquán.) Safety should always be kept in mind.
As a noun
It can also be used as a noun, referring to a specific point in time. It emphasizes the exactness or importance of that particular moment. It can function as a subject or object.
e.g.
我们必须准时到达，不能错过任何关键时刻。(Wǒmen bìxū zhǔnshí dàodá, bùnéng cuòguò rènhé guānjiàn shíkè.) We must arrive on time and not miss any critical moments.
这个重要时刻我们都应该记住。(Zhège zhòngyào shíkè wǒmen dōu yīnggāi jì zhù.) We should all remember this important moment.
在紧急时刻，他冷静地做出了决定。(Zài jǐnjí shíkè, tā lěngjìng de zuò chūle juédìng.) In a critical moment, he made a decision calmly.
As an adverb, it means often or from time to time. Sometimes it can be interchangeable with “时刻.” However, “时时” does not convey the sense of every single moment.
Subject + 时时 + Verb phrase
e.g.
她时时提醒自己要保持积极。(Tā shíshí tíxǐng zìjǐ yào bǎochí jījí.) She constantly reminds herself to stay positive.
父母时时关心孩子的学习进度。(Fùmǔ shíshí guānxīn háizi de xuéxí jìndù.) Parents constantly care about their children’s academic progress.
时时了解市场动态对公司很重要。(Shíshí liǎojiě shìchǎng dòngtài duì gōngsī hěn zhòngyào.) It’s important for the company to always be aware of market dynamics.
我们时时需要记得感恩。(Wǒmen shíshí xūyào jìdé gǎn’ēn.) We always need to remember to be grateful.
Note that These words are used to express actions that occur frequently or continuously and should not be combined with auxiliary particles that indicate completion or experience, such as “了” (le) or “过” (guò).
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