zhàocháng: 照常 - As Usual, Business as Usual

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese adverb 照常 (zhàocháng), which means “as usual” or “business as usual.” This comprehensive guide explains how to use 照常 to describe an action that continues according to a plan or schedule, especially despite a potential disruption. Perfect for HSK 4 learners, this page breaks down the characters, cultural nuances, and provides over 10 practical example sentences, clarifying the crucial difference between 照常 (zhàocháng) and 正常 (zhèngcháng).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhào cháng
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To carry on as usual or according to the original plan, often in spite of an interruption or special circumstance.
• In a Nutshell: Think of the English phrase “business as usual.” 照常 (zhàocháng) is used when there's a reason something might be canceled or changed—like a typhoon, a public holiday, or a technical problem—but it proceeds anyway. It emphasizes continuity and adherence to a pre-established schedule. It's the perfect word for signs on shop doors during holidays or for reassuring colleagues that a meeting is still on.

• 照 (zhào): The original character depicts fire (灬) shining on something. While its most common meaning is “to shine” or “photograph,” it also carries the important meaning of “according to” or “in accordance with.” In this word, it means “according to.”
• 常 (cháng): This character means “common,” “normal,” “regular,” or “constant.” It refers to the usual, established state of things.
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “according to (照) the normal (常).” This gives us the clear meaning of proceeding according to the normal plan or routine.

In Chinese culture, which often values stability, predictability, and fulfilling one's duty, 照常 (zhàocháng) is a word that carries significant weight. It communicates reliability and resilience. A shop that is 照常营业 (zhàocháng yíngyè - open for business as usual) during the Spring Festival holiday isn't just making money; it's providing a dependable service to the community. An office that works 照常 during a minor crisis is seen as professional and committed. Compared to the English “business as usual,” 照常 (zhàocháng) often carries a stronger connotation of overcoming a specific, known obstacle. “Business as usual” can sometimes be used ironically or to imply that someone is ignoring a problem. 照常, on the other hand, is almost always a neutral, factual statement of reassurance. It says, “We are aware of the special situation, and despite it, we are sticking to the plan.” This reflects a pragmatic and resilient mindset focused on maintaining order and function.

照常 (zhàocháng) is frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in announcements and professional contexts.

• Public Announcements: This is the most common usage. You will see it on signs, websites, and in official notices.
  • e.g., “本店春节期间照常营业。” (Our shop is open as usual during the Spring Festival.)
  • e.g., “因系统升级，服务可能会中断，但所有订单将照常处理。” (Due to a system upgrade, service may be interrupted, but all orders will be processed as usual.)
• Work and Meetings: It's used to confirm that a scheduled event is still happening.
  • e.g., “虽然老板出差了，但明天的会议照常举行。” (Although the boss is on a business trip, tomorrow's meeting will be held as usual.)
• Reassurance: It serves to calm worries that an event might be canceled.
  • e.g., “别担心，虽然下雨，我们的户外活动照常进行。” (Don't worry, even though it's raining, our outdoor activity will proceed as planned.)

Its connotation is almost always neutral to positive, signaling reliability and normalcy. It is slightly more formal than colloquial alternatives like 照样 (zhàoyàng).

• Example 1:
  • 春节期间，我们超市照常营业。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié qījiān, wǒmen chāoshì zhàocháng yíngyè.
  • English: During the Spring Festival, our supermarket is open for business as usual.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical example you'll see on signs all over China during public holidays. It reassures customers that they can still shop.
• Example 2:
  • 虽然天气不好，但飞机照常起飞。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, dàn fēijī zhàocháng qǐfēi.
  • English: Although the weather is bad, the plane is taking off as scheduled.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the “despite an obstacle” meaning of 照常. The bad weather is a reason for potential cancellation, but things are proceeding normally.
• Example 3:
  • 经理生病了，可是今天的会议照常进行。
  • Pinyin: Jīnglǐ shēngbìng le, kěshì jīntiān de huìyì zhàocháng jìnxíng.
  • English: The manager is sick, but today's meeting will proceed as usual.
  • Analysis: Here, 照常 shows that the plan is more important than the absence of a key person. It emphasizes continuity of operations.
• Example 4:
  • 明天是公共假期，但我们的图书馆照常开放。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān shì gōnggòng jiàqī, dàn wǒmen de túshūguǎn zhàocháng kāifàng.
  • English: Tomorrow is a public holiday, but our library will be open as usual.
  • Analysis: This usage counters a common expectation. People expect a library to be closed on a holiday, and 照常 is used to state the exception.
• Example 5:
  • 尽管外面很吵，他还是照常学习。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn wàimiàn hěn chǎo, tā háishì zhàocháng xuéxí.
  • English: Even though it was very noisy outside, he studied as usual.
  • Analysis: This shows 照常 can also apply to a personal, established routine in the face of a disturbance.
• Example 6:
  • 公司搬家了，但所有业务照常进行。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī bānjiā le, dàn suǒyǒu yèwù zhàocháng jìnxíng.
  • English: The company has moved, but all business operations are continuing as usual.
  • Analysis: This is a form of reassurance to clients and partners that the move will not disrupt service.
• Example 7:
  • 老师没来，今天的考试还照常举行吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī méi lái, jīntiān de kǎoshì hái zhàocháng jǔxíng ma?
  • English: The teacher isn't here, will today's exam still be held as scheduled?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how to use 照常 in a question to confirm if a plan is still on.
• Example 8:
  • 就算他不同意，我们的计划也照常。
  • Pinyin: Jiùsuàn tā bù tóngyì, wǒmen de jìhuà yě zhàocháng.
  • English: Even if he disagrees, our plan proceeds as usual.
  • Analysis: In this context, 照常 can imply a degree of determination or even stubbornness. The plan will not be changed.
• Example 9:
  • 他父亲去世后，他第二天就照常去上班了。
  • Pinyin: Tā fùqīn qùshì hòu, tā dì èr tiān jiù zhàocháng qù shàngbān le.
  • English: The day after his father passed away, he went to work as usual.
  • Analysis: This usage can convey a sense of professionalism, emotional fortitude, or perhaps a coping mechanism. It describes resuming a routine despite a major life event.
• Example 10:
  • 请放心，系统维护期间，您的包裹会照常派送。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng fàngxīn, xìtǒng wéihù qījiān, nín de bāoguǒ huì zhàocháng pàisòng.
  • English: Please rest assured, during the system maintenance period, your package will be delivered as usual.
  • Analysis: A classic example from e-commerce or logistics, used to manage customer expectations and provide reassurance.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 照常 (zhàocháng) with 正常 (zhèngcháng). They sound somewhat similar but are not interchangeable.

• 照常 (zhàocháng) is an adverb that describes an action continuing as scheduled.
• 正常 (zhèngcháng) is an adjective that describes a state or condition as being normal.

Think of it this way: actions proceed 照常; things or situations are 正常.

• Incorrect Usage: 他的电脑不照常了。 (Tā de diànnǎo bù zhàocháng le.)
• Why it's wrong: You are describing the state of the computer, not an action. The computer is in an abnormal state.
• Correct Usage: 他的电脑不正常了。 (Tā de diànnǎo bù zhèngcháng le.) - His computer is not normal (i.e., it's broken).
• Incorrect Usage: 会议会很正常。 (Huìyì huì hěn zhèngcháng.)
• Why it's wrong: While a meeting can be “normal,” the sentence structure here implies you want to say it will happen as planned. You need an adverb to describe the action of holding the meeting.
• Correct Usage: 会议会照常举行。 (Huìyì huì zhàocháng jǔxíng.) - The meeting will be held as usual.

• 正常 (zhèngcháng) - An adjective meaning “normal” or “regular.” Describes a state, not an action. The most important term to distinguish from 照常.
• 照样 (zhàoyàng) - A very close synonym, also an adverb meaning “as before” or “in the same way.” It's often more colloquial and can be used for more personal, less scheduled actions.
• 一切照旧 (yíqiè zhàojiù) - An idiom meaning “everything is the same as before; business as usual.” It's more emphatic and covers a general situation rather than a specific event.
• 如期 (rúqī) - An adverb meaning “on schedule” or “as scheduled.” It specifically emphasizes that something is happening on the planned date. (e.g., 会议如期举行 - The meeting was held on the scheduled date.)
• 按时 (ànshí) - An adverb meaning “on time” or “punctually.” It focuses on the timing being correct, not on the fact that the event is happening despite a potential disruption.
• 平常 (píngcháng) - An adjective meaning “ordinary” or “common.” It describes things that are not special. As an adverb, it means “usually” and describes general habits. (e.g., 我平常七点起床 - I usually get up at 7.)
• 平时 (píngshí) - A noun meaning “normal times.” It's used to contrast with a special time, like a holiday or an emergency. (e.g., 他平时很安静 - He is usually very quiet.)