How to say "Often" in Japanese

When translating "often" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between しばしば and 往々にして. In Japanese, しばしば (しばしば (shibashiba)) is typically associated with "often, frequently, many times" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents A slightly more formal or literary equivalent of 「よく」. It indicates a high frequency of occurrence. 何度も繰り返して、たびたび。. On the other hand, 往々にして (おうおうにして (ōō ni shite)) maps to "often; sometimes; not infrequently" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses that something happens frequently or often, but not always. It's a more formal or slightly archaic way of saying "often.". A literal translation of "often" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!