"Always" in Chinese 2 - 一向 yíxiàng

Table of Contents

Grammar Point:
一向 yíxiàng is a Chinese adverb that means “always” or “consistently.” It’s used to describe habits, actions, or characteristics that have remained the same over a long period, up to the present. It’s similar to saying “it’s always been this way” in English.

Structure

S + 一向 yíxiàng + Adj

這zhè家jiā店diàn的de價格jiàgé一向yíxiàng很hěn高gāo这zhè家jiā店diàn的de价格jiàgé一向yíxiàng很hěn高gāo
The prices at this shop have always been high.

這zhè位wèi導演dǎoyǎn的de電影diànyǐng一向yíxiàng都dōu很hěn黑暗hēiàn这zhè位wèi导演dǎoyǎn的de电影diànyǐng一向yíxiàng都dōu很hěn黑暗hēiàn
This director’s movies have always been very dark.

他tā說話shuōhuà一向yíxiàng都dōu非常fēicháng討人厭tǎorényàn他tā说话shuōhuà一向yíxiàng都dōu非常fēicháng讨人厌tǎorényàn
He has always been incredibly annoying when he speaks.

這個zhège季節jìjié的de天氣tiānqì一向yíxiàng很好hěnhǎo，很hěn適合shìhé旅遊lǚyóu这个zhège季节jìjié的de天气tiānqì一向yíxiàng很好hěnhǎo，很hěn适合shìhé旅游lǚyóu
The weather during this season is always great and perfect for traveling.

S + 一向 yíxiàng + (都 dōu) + V

Adding 都 dōu emphasis on consistency, especially in colloquial usage.

我wǒ一向yíxiàng都dōu支持zhīchí你nǐ的de決定juédìng我wǒ一向yíxiàng都dōu支持zhīchí你nǐ的de决定juédìng
I’ve always supported your decisions.

他tā一向yíxiàng說到做到shuōdàozuòdào他tā一向yíxiàng说到做到shuōdàozuòdào
He has always been true to his word.

我wǒ討厭tǎoyàn社交shèjiāo，一向yìxiàng都dōu不bù喜歡xǐhuān參加cānjiā聚會jùhuì我wǒ讨厌tǎoyàn社交shèjiāo，一向yìxiàng都dōu不bù喜欢xǐhuan参加cānjiā聚会jùhuì
I hate socializing and have never liked attending parties. 🫠

他tā一向yíxiàng說話shuōhuà很hěn有禮貌yǒulǐmào他tā一向yíxiàng说话shuōhuà很hěn有礼貌yǒulǐmào
He has always spoken politely.

S + 一向 yíxiàng + 以 yǐ + V/N + 著稱 zhùchēng

This structure is used to describe a long-term reputation for something.

他tā一向yíxiàng以yǐ努力nǔlì工作gōngzuò著稱zhùchēng他tā一向yíxiàng以yǐ努力nǔlì工作gōngzuò着称zhùchēng
He has always been known for working hard.

Tiffany 的de課kè一向yíxiàng以yǐ實用shíyòng著稱zhùchēngTiffany 的de课kè一向yíxiàng以yǐ实用shíyòng着称zhùchēng
Tiffany’s classes have always been known for being practical.

日本人rìběnrén一向yíxiàng以yǐ守時shǒushí著稱zhùchēng日本人rìběnrén一向yíxiàng以yǐ守时shǒushí着称zhùchēng
Japanese people are always known for being punctual.

我們wǒmen公司gōngsī的de產品chǎnpǐn一向yíxiàng以yǐ質量zhíliàng著稱zhùchēng我们wǒmen公司gōngsī的de产品chǎnpǐn一向yíxiàng以yǐ质量zhìliàng着称zhùchēng
Our company’s products have always been known for their quality.

Comparison

	一直 yìzhí	一向 yíxiàng	始終终 shǐzhōng
Meaning	Continuous action or state.	Long-term, habitual consistency.	Unchanging from start to finish.
Time Frame	Flexible (past, present, future).	Past to present.	From beginning to end.
Focus	Duration or ongoing process.	Habits or tendencies.	Persistence or consistency throughout.
Tone	Neutral, casual.	Neutral, sometimes formal.	Formal, serious, or emotional.
Common Contexts	Ongoing actions or states.	Personal habits or traits.	Beliefs, values, or commitments.

你nǐ的de成績chéngjī一向yíxiàng在zài進步jìnbù你nǐ的de成绩chéngjì一向yíxiàng在zài进步jìnbù ❌ 一直yìzhí一直yìzhí ✅
Your grades have been continuously improving.
(一向 yíxiàng is for consistent habits or traits, not ongoing progress like “improving grades.)

他tā會huì一向yíxiàng愛ài你nǐ他tā会huì一向yíxiàng爱ài你nǐ ❌ 一直yìzhí一直yìzhí ✅
He will always love you.
(一向 yíxiàng refers to past or present, not future possibilities *conflicts with 會 huì)

我wǒ一向yíxiàng沒méi搞gǎo清楚qīngchǔ他tā的de意思yìsi我wǒ一向yíxiàng没méi搞gǎo清楚qīngchu他tā的de意思yìsi ❌ 一直yìzhí/ 始終shǐzhōng一直yìzhí/ 始终shǐzhōng ✅
I’ve never understood his meaning.
(一向 yíxiàng is for long-term habits, not specific or ongoing confusion.)

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

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

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
總总是 zǒngshì, 老是 lǎoshì, 一向 yíxiàng and 一直 yìzhí

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