“Always” in Chinese 1 – cónglái

Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 從來从来 cónglái means “always.” It is used to indicate that something has been true or consistent throughout a period of time.

Structure

S + 從來从来 cónglái + 都 dōu

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

成功chénggōng從來cónglái都dōu要yào靠kào努力nǔlì成功chénggōng从来cónglái都dōu要yào靠kào努力nǔlì
Success always requires hard work.

她tā從來cónglái都dōu愛ài吃chī辣的làde食物shíwù她tā从来cónglái都dōu爱ài吃chī辣的làde食物shíwù
She has always loved spicy food.

我們wǒmen週末zhōumò從來cónglái都dōu在zài家裡jiālǐ休息xiūxí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.

學習xuéxí一門yìmén語言yǔyán從來cónglái都dōu是shì需要xūyào耐心nàixīn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從來cónglái都dōu支持zhīchí我的wǒde選擇xuǎnzé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.

他們tāmen兄妹xiōngmèi從來cónglái都dōu很hěn要好yàohǎo他们tāmen兄妹xiōngmèi从来cónglái都dōu很hěn要好yàohǎo
The two siblings have always been very close.

我們wǒmen一家人yìjiārén從來cónglái都dōu在zài聖誕節shèngdànjié一起yìqǐ吃飯chīfàn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.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️I always leave work on time.

我wǒ從來cónglái都dōu準時zhǔnshí下班xiàbān我wǒ从来cónglái都dōu准时zhǔnshí下班xiàbān

✔️ She has always had a special fondness for cats.

她tā從來cónglái都dōu對duì貓māo特別tèbié喜愛xǐài她tā从来cónglái都dōu对duì猫māo特别tèbié喜爱xǐài

✔️ Phones from this brand have always been affordable and easy to use.

這個zhège牌子páizi的de手機shǒujī從來cónglái都dōu便宜biànyí好用hǎoyòng这个zhège牌子páizi的de手机shǒujī从来cónglái都dōu便宜biànyí好用hǎoyòng

• “All along” in Chinese 1 – 一直 yìzhí (HSK 2)

• Adverbs of Frequency (HSK 3)
  (通常 tōngcháng, 往往 wǎngwǎng, and 總总是 zǒngshì)

• “All along” in Chinese 2 – 始終终 shǐzhōng (HSK 3)

• “Always” in Chinese 1 – 從來从来 cónglái (HSK 4)

• “Always” in Chinese 2 – 一向 yíxiàng (HSK 5)

• “Always” in Chinese 3 – 時时時时 shíshí (HSK 6)

• “Always” in Chinese
  總总是 zǒngshì, 老是 lǎoshì, 一向 yíxiàng and 一直 yìzhí

• Use 從來从来 cónglái to express “never” (HSK 3)