“All along” in Chinese 2 – 始终 shǐzhōng

Grammar Point:
始終终 shǐzhōng is an adverb in Chinese that means “all along” or “from beginning to end.” It is used to indicate continuity, or consistency in an action or state, and it implies that something has remained constant or unchanged throughout a specific period of time or process.

Structure

始終终 shǐzhōng + V

他tā始終shǐzhōng保持bǎochí樂觀lèguān態度tàidù他tā始终shǐzhōng保持bǎochí乐观lèguān态度tàidù
He has maintained an optimistic attitude all along.

這個zhège問題wèntí始終shǐzhōng沒有méiyǒu解決jiějué这个zhège问题wèntí始终shǐzhōng没有méiyǒu解决jiějué
This problem has remained unsolved all along.

這zhè家jiā餐廳cāntīng的de食材shícái新鮮xīnxiān， 味道wèidào始終shǐzhōng很hěn美味měiwèi这zhè家jiā餐厅cāntīng的de食材shícái新鲜xīnxiān， 味道wèidào始终shǐzhōng很hěn美味měiwèi
The ingredients at this restaurant are consistently fresh, and the taste is always delicious.

我wǒ始終shǐzhōng沒méi搞清楚gǎoqīngchǔ那個nàge人rén想xiǎng說shuō的de是shì什麼shénme我wǒ始终shǐzhōng没méi搞清楚gǎoqīngchu那个nàge人rén想xiǎng说shuō的de是shì什么shénme
I never quite understood what that person wanted to say all along.

會議huìyì中zhōng經理jīnglǐ始終shǐzhōng都dōu黑著臉hēizhùliǎn不bù說shuō一句yíjù話huà会议huìyì中zhōng经理jīnglǐ始终shǐzhōng都dōu黑着脸hēizheliǎn不bù说shuō一句yíjù话huà
Throughout the meeting, the manager remained silent with a stern face and didn’t say a word.

FYI
Business meeting culture in Chinese local companies can vary depending on the region, industry, and specific company, but there are some common cultural traits and practices that often apply:

Agenda and Structure: Meetings typically follow a structured agenda. If you are the meeting organizer, send the agenda in advance. Meetings often involve formal presentations followed by discussions.
Hierarchy: The hierarchical structure within Chinese companies extends to meetings. The most senior person’s opinions are highly regarded, and their decisions carry the most weight.
Non-Verbal Communication: Pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions. Maintaining a composed and respectful demeanor is crucial.
Silence: In Chinese business meetings, periods of silence are common, and they are not necessarily uncomfortable. It’s often a sign of thoughtful consideration.
Negotiation Style: Negotiations can be a slow and gradual process. Patience is key, and it’s common to haggle over details.

我wǒ始終shǐzhōng忘不了wàngbùliǎo他tā對duì我wǒ說shuō過guò的de話huà我wǒ始终shǐzhōng忘不了wàngbuliǎo他tā对duì我wǒ说shuō过guò的de话huà
I can’t forget what he said to me, no matter how much time has passed.

Set Phrase

始終终如一 shǐzhōngrúyī

她tā始終如一shǐzhōngrúyī地de對duì自己zìjǐ的de夢想mèngxiǎng充滿chōngmǎn信心xìnxīn她tā始终如一shǐzhōngrúyī地de对duì自己zìjǐ的de夢想mèngxiǎng充满chōngmǎn信心xìnxīn
She remains steadfast in her confidence in her dreams.

我們wǒmen的de友誼yǒuyí始終如一shǐzhōngrúyī， 無論wúlùn距離jùlí有yǒu多duō遠yuǎn我们wǒmen的de友谊yǒuyì始终如一shǐzhōngrúyī， 无论wúlùn距离jùlí有yǒu多duō远yuǎn
Our friendship remains unwavering, no matter how far apart we are.

始終终 shǐzhōng VS 一直 yìzhí

始終终 shǐzhōng is frequently employed to convey that something has remained constant or unchanged throughout a specific process or period, often in formal or literary contexts. On the other hand, 一直 yìzhí is used to express the concept of continuous or uninterrupted action over time and is more commonly utilized in everyday speech, particularly in informal conversations.

我wǒ始終shǐzhōng愛ài的de是shì你nǐ我wǒ始终shǐzhōng爱ài的de是shì你nǐ
I have always loved you.

我wǒ一直yìzhí愛ài的de是shì你nǐ我wǒ一直yìzhí爱ài的de是shì你nǐ
I have consistently loved you.

他tā始終shǐzhōng都dōu在zài說謊shuōhuǎng他tā始终shǐzhōng都dōu在zài说谎shuōhuǎng
He has always been lying.

他tā一直yìzhí在zài說謊shuōhuǎng他tā一直yìzhí在zài说谎shuōhuǎng
He has consistently been lying.

• “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)

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

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

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