“Always” in Chinese 1 – cónglái

Posted on by tiffany

OneDotDot Chinese
Grammar · HSK 4
Grammar Point · HSK 4

从来 cónglái — “Always”

从来 cónglái means “always.” It is used to indicate that something has been true or consistent throughout a period of time.

從來 cónglái always Chinese grammar

In this structure, you do not add negation words like 不 bù or 没 méi to indicate the negative form.

1 S + 从来 cónglái + 都 dōu

成功chénggōng从来cónglái都dōu要yào靠kào努力nǔlì
Success always requires hard work.
她tā从来cónglái都dōu爱ài吃chī辣的làde食物shíwù
She has always loved spicy food.
我们wǒmen周末zhōumò从来cónglái都dōu在zài家里jiālǐ休息xiūxi
We always rest at home on weekends.
学习xuéxí一门yìmén语言yǔyán从来cónglái都dōu是shì需要xūyào耐心nàixīn
Learning a language always requires patience.
我的wǒde父母fùmǔ从来cónglái都dōu支持zhīchí我的wǒde选择xuǎnzé
My parents have always supported my choices.
他们tāmen兄妹xiōngmèi从来cónglái都dōu很hěn要好yàohǎo
The two siblings have always been very close.
我们wǒmen一家人yìjiārén从来cónglái都dōu在zài圣诞节shèngdànjié一起yìqǐ吃饭chīfàn
Our whole family always eats together on Christmas.

2 一直 yìzhí vs 总是 zǒngshì vs 从来 cónglái

All three can be translated as “always,” but they carry different focus and tone.

一直 yìzhí 总是 zǒngshì 从来 (都) cónglái (dōu)
Focus Unbroken continuity of an action or state How often something happens — every single time True from the very start, without exception
Feel Neutral, descriptive Casual, the most common everyday choice More formal or emphatic — often implies “contrary to what you’d think”
Negative form 一直 + 没 (“still hasn’t…”) 总是 + 不 (“always doesn’t…”) 从来 + 不/没 (“never”)
他tā一直yìzhí都dōu很hěn努力nǔlì
He’s been working hard all along. (a continuous state, up to now)
他tā总是zǒngshì很hěn努力nǔlì
He’s always hardworking. (a simple, everyday observation)
他tā从来cónglái都dōu很hěn努力nǔlì
He has always been hardworking. (emphatic — this has been true from the start, no exceptions)
Quick Way to Remember

一直 yìzhí is about time passing without a break. 总是 zǒngshì is your everyday, go-to word for “always.” 从来 (都) cónglái (dōu) adds emphasis — reach for it when you want to underline that something has always been the case, full stop.

3 Practice

Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.

01I always leave work on time.
我wǒ从来cónglái都dōu准时zhǔnshí下班xiàbān
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02She has always had a special fondness for cats.
她tā从来cónglái都dōu对duì猫māo特别tèbié喜爱xǐài
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03Phones from this brand have always been affordable and easy to use.
这个zhège牌子páizi的de手机shǒujī从来cónglái都dōu便宜biànyí好用hǎoyòng
👆 Tap to reveal
04This coffee shop has always been very quiet.
这家zhèjiā咖啡店kāfēidiàn从来cónglái都dōu很hěn安静ānjìng
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05He has always taken good care of his younger siblings.
他tā从来cónglái都dōu很hěn照顾zhàogù弟弟dìdi妹妹mèimei
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06Our neighbors have always been very friendly.
我们的wǒmen de邻居línjū从来cónglái都dōu很hěn友善yǒushàn
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07This kind of problem has always been hard to solve.
这种zhèzhǒng问题wèntí从来cónglái都dōu很hěn难nán解决jiějué
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08She has always finished her homework before dinner.
她tā从来cónglái都dōu在zài晚餐前wǎncān qián写完xiěwán作业zuòyè
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Related Grammar

→“All Along” in Chinese 1 — 一直 yìzhí(HSK 2) →Use 从来 cónglái to Express “Never”(HSK 4)

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