往々・往往|おうおうouou[0]heiban (flat)

1. adverbsometimes; often

• Synonym時々ときどきNeutralThe most common everyday word for 'sometimes, now and then'. 「往々」 is more written-style and usually appears as 「往々にして」, for cases that tend to occur.
• SynonymしばしばWrittenWritten style for 'often, repeatedly'; describes repeated occurrence but can also state a general tendency, so largely interchangeable with 「往々」.
• SynonymたびたびNeutral'Repeatedly, many times'; common in both speech and writing, covering concrete repetition and habitual situations alike. Plainer than 「往々」.
• SynonymしょっちゅうCasualColloquial for 'all the time, constantly' — very high frequency, more casual than 「往々」 and sometimes carrying a tone of complaint.
• Synonym時としてときとしてWrittenWritten style for 'at times, in some cases', as in 「時として失敗する」; leans toward occasional, sporadic instances.
• Synonym間々ままWrittenWritten style for 'occasionally, now and then', as in 「ままある」. Lower frequency than 「往々」 and free of any judgment of tendency.
• Related時折ときおりWrittenWritten style for 'at times', as in 「時折雨が降る」. Leans toward occasional occurrence, with lower frequency than 「往々」.
• Related折々おりおりWrittenWritten style for 'now and then, at various times', as in 「折々に便りを出す」 or 「四季折々」. Unlike 「往々」, it carries no sense of tendency.
• RelatedちょくちょくCasualColloquial for 'every so often', as in 「ちょくちょく来る」. Light, casual tone, where 「往々」 is written-style.
• RelatedちょいちょいCasualColloquial for 'now and then', even more casual than 「ちょくちょく」; it can also describe light, nimble movement.
• Related再三さいさんWrittenWritten style for 'again and again', often of repeated reminders or urging, as in 「再三注意した」; leans toward deliberate human repetition.
• Related再々さいさいWrittenWritten style for 'repeatedly', with a nuance of the same thing happening over and over. No judgment of tendency.
• Related頻繁ひんぱんWrittenWritten style for 'frequent(ly)', as in 「頻繁に起こる」 — an objective description of high frequency.
• Related始終しじゅうNeutral'From start to finish; constantly'. Stresses continuity rather than tendency, as in 「始終笑っている」.
• RelatedたいていNeutral'Mostly, usually', as in 「大抵は家にいる」. Concerns what happens in most cases.
• Related時たまときたまNeutral'Once in a while', less frequent than 「時々」, as in 「時たま会う」. Carries no judgment of tendency.
• Related往々にしておうおうにしてWrittenWritten style, synonymous with 「往々」 and actually more common in use; suggests something readily happens.
• Related重ね重ねかさねがさねWrittenWritten style for 'time and again', used mostly in apologies and thanks, as in 「重ね重ねお詫び」.
• RelatedしげくWrittenWritten style for 'frequently', mostly in 「足繁く通う」; leans toward frequent visits or comings and goings.
• Antonym滅多にめったにNeutralAntonym: 'rarely', the opposite of the frequent occurrence 「往々」 describes; used with a negative.
• AntonymたまにNeutralAntonym: 'occasionally, once in a while', the opposite of the 'often so' that 「往々」 expresses.

In everyday speech, say 「時々」 for 'sometimes' and 「よく」 for 'often'; casually, 「ちょくちょく」 or 「しょっちゅう」. 「往々」 is written-style and usually appears as 「往々にして」, as in 「若者は往々にして無理をする」, for cases that tend to occur. Use 「頻繁」 for high frequency, 「再三」 for repeated reminders, and 「滅多に」 with a negative for 'rarely'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. そうなることがしばしばあるさま。