Synonyms of “Always” in Chinese

Posted on by tiffany

總是 · 老是 · 一向 · 一直 — 近義詞辨析
Similar Words

总是 zǒngshì · 老是 lǎoshì · 一向 yíxiàng · 一直 yìzhí

Four ways to say “always” in Mandarin — and the subtle differences in tone, timing, and frequency behind each one.

There are four ways to say “always” in Chinese: 总是 zǒngshì, 老是 lǎoshì, 一向 yíxiàng, and 一直 yìzhí. However, there are subtle differences in the nuances of these words that are worth noting.

一

总是 zǒngshì

Adverb · High Probability / Frequency

总是 zǒngshì is used to emphasize a high probability or frequency.

Subject + 总是zǒngshì + Verb Phrase
他tā上午shàngwǔ八点bādiǎn总是zǒngshì在zài图书馆túshūguǎn看书kànshū
He is always in the library at 8:00 a.m. reading books.
父母fùmǔ总是zǒngshì在zài孩子háizi需要xūyào他们tāmen时shí给予jǐyǔ帮助bāngzhù
Parents are always there to help their children when they need them.
她tā周末zhōumò总是zǒngshì待在dāizài家里jiālǐ看kàn电影diànyǐng。
She always stays home watching movies on weekends.
这家zhèjiā餐厅cāntīng总是zǒngshì高朋满座gāopéngmǎnzuò。
This restaurant is always packed with guests.
二

老是 lǎoshì

Adverb · Annoyance / Overly Frequent

This adverb is often used to express a sense of annoyance or frustration, and can sometimes have a negative connotation. It implies that something happens too frequently or continuously, to the point of being irritating.

Subject + 老是lǎoshì + Verb Phrase
你nǐ为什么wèishénme老是lǎoshì迟到chídào？
Why are you always late?
我wǒ说shuō的de话huà，他tā老是lǎoshì不bú记得jìdé
He always doesn’t remember what I say.
弟弟dìdi老是lǎoshì把bǎ房间fángjiān弄得nòngde乱七八糟luànqībāzāo。
My little brother always makes his room a mess.
你nǐ老是lǎoshì忘记wàngjì带伞dàisǎn，难怪nánguài常常chángcháng淋湿línshī。
You always forget to bring an umbrella, no wonder you often get soaked.
三

一向 yíxiàng

Adverb · Formal, Long-standing Habit

This one tends to be used more in formal or polite language and can also imply a sense of consistency or habit. Compared to the other adverbs, 一向 yíxiàng is often used to describe someone’s long-standing habit or a situation that has been consistently maintained over time, like a constant fact.

Subject + 一向yíxiàng + Verb Phrase
台湾táiwān一向yíxiàng没有méiyǒu给gěi小费xiǎofèi的de文化wénhuà
Taiwan has never had a culture of tipping.
我wǒ认识rènshì这zhè位wèi爷爷yéye五十wǔshí年nián了le，他tā一向yíxiàng给人gěirén谦虚qiānxū有礼貌yǒulǐmào的de印象yìnxiàng
I have known this old man for fifty years. He has always given an impression of modesty and politeness.
他tā一向yíxiàng对人duìrén很hěn客气kèqi。
He has always been polite to people.
这间zhèjiān公司gōngsī一向yíxiàng注重zhùzhòng员工yuángōng福利fúlì。
This company has always valued employee benefits.
四

一直 yìzhí

Adverb · Continuous / Uninterrupted

It typically refers to something that is continuous or uninterrupted. And it can also be used to describe a situation that persists over a period of time.

Subject + 一直yìzhí + Verb Phrase
我wǒ从cóng去年qùnián开始kāishǐ就jiù一直yìzhí学习xuéxí中文zhōngwén
I have been learning Chinese since last year.
我wǒ一直yìzhí想xiǎng去qù欧洲ōuzhōu旅游lǚyóu一次yícì
I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe once.
他tā一直yìzhí没有méiyǒu回huí我wǒ的de讯息xùnxī。
He still hasn’t replied to my message.
我们wǒmen一直yìzhí保持bǎochí联络liánluò。
We have kept in touch continuously.
05  ·  At a Glance

Quick Comparison

一直yìzhí 一向yíxiàng 总是zǒngshì 老是lǎoshì
Meaning Continuous action or state. Long-term, habitual consistency. Repeated actions or behaviors. Repeated actions, often negative or annoying.
Time Frame Flexible (past, present, future). Past to present. Any time frame. Any time frame.
Focus Duration or ongoing process. Habits or tendencies. Frequency of occurrence. Frequency of occurrence, with a negative tone.
Tone Neutral, casual. Neutral, sometimes formal. Neutral, everyday usage. Informal, often critical or complaining.
Common Contexts Ongoing actions or states. Personal habits or traits. Regular, predictable actions. Annoying or undesirable repetitive behaviors.
06  ·  Practice

Practice Quiz

PRACTICE QUIZ Question 1 of 10
He’s always late — so annoying!
他tā____迟到chídào，真烦人zhēnfánrén。
I’ve been standing here for an hour without stopping.
我wǒ____站在zhànzài这里zhèlǐ，已经yǐjīng一个小时yígèxiǎoshí了le。
This country has never had a tipping culture.
这个国家zhègeguójiā____没有méiyǒu给小费gěixiǎofèi的de习惯xíguàn。
Every day at noon, he’s in the cafeteria eating lunch.
他tā每天中午měitiānzhōngwǔ____在餐厅zàicāntīng吃午餐chīwǔcān。
He always forgets what I told him — it’s frustrating.
我说的话wǒshuōdehuà，他tā____忘记wàngjì。
He has always given people the impression of being polite.
他tā____给人gěirén有礼貌的yǒulǐmàode印象yìnxiàng。
It’s been raining since yesterday, without stopping.
从昨天cóngzuótiān到现在dàoxiànzài，雨yǔ____在下zàixià。
Parents are always ready to help their children when needed.
父母fùmǔ____在孩子zàiháizi需要时xūyàoshí给予帮忙jǐyǔbāngmáng。
He always doesn’t do his homework — it’s really annoying.
他tā____不写作业bùxiězuòyè，真让人zhēnràngrén生气shēngqì。
I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe once.
我wǒ____想去欧洲xiǎngqùōuzhōu旅游一次lǚyóuyícì。
Complete
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