1.
always; habitually; for some time now
On an ongoing, habitual basis. Used especially to introduce a thought or opinion one has held all along, as in "I've always thought that…"
常々そう思っていた。
I had always thought so.
常々お世話になっております。
You are always so good to me. (set business greeting)
健康が一番大切だと常々感じている。
I've always felt that health is the most important thing.
A reduplication of 常 (always). Often introduces a long-held thought or opinion, pairing naturally with 思う / 感じる.
POSITION: Appears before the verb it modifies, frequently at the start of a clause.
REGISTER: Slightly formal and written in feel; in casual speech いつも (always) is more common.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- いつも: always — neutral and far more common in everyday speech.
- 普段: usually, ordinarily — describes one's normal state rather than a continuing thought.