一向一向 yíxiàng is about the past shaping how we describe the present — a trait, habit, or reputation that’s held steady long enough to become part of someone’s identity.
1 Structure
S + 一向一向 yíxiàng + Adj
這家店的價格一向很高。这家店的价格一向很高。
The prices at this shop have always been high.
這位導演的電影一向都很黑暗。这位导演的电影一向都很黑暗。
This director’s movies have always been very dark.
他說話一向都非常討人厭。他说话一向都非常讨人厌。
He has always been incredibly annoying when he speaks.
這個季節的天氣一向很好，很適合旅遊。这个季节的天气一向很好，很适合旅游。
The weather during this season is always great and perfect for traveling.
S + 一向一向 yíxiàng + (都都 dōu) + V
Adding 都都 dōu emphasizes the consistency, especially in colloquial usage.
我一向都支持你的決定。我一向都支持你的决定。
I’ve always supported your decisions.
他一向說到做到。他一向说到做到。
He has always been true to his word.
我討厭社交，一向都不喜歡參加聚會。我讨厌社交，一向都不喜欢参加聚会。
I hate socializing and have never liked attending parties. 🫠
他一向說話很有禮貌。他一向说话很有礼貌。
He has always spoken politely.
S + 一向一向 yíxiàng + 以以 yǐ + V/N + 著稱著称 zhùchēng
This structure is used to describe a long-term reputation for something.
他一向以努力工作著稱。他一向以努力工作着称。
He has always been known for working hard.
Tiffany的課一向以實用著稱。Tiffany的课一向以实用着称。
Tiffany’s classes have always been known for being practical.
日本人一向以守時著稱。日本人一向以守时着称。
Japanese people are always known for being punctual.
我們公司的產品一向以質量著稱。我们公司的产品一向以质量着称。
Our company’s products have always been known for their quality.
2 Common Mistakes
Most errors come from reaching for 一向一向 yíxiàng when the sentence actually needs an ongoing process, a future promise, or a specific persistent situation instead of a long-term habit or trait.
❌
你的成績一向在進步。你的成绩一向在进步。
✅
你的成績一直在進步。你的成绩一直在进步。
一向一向 yíxiàng describes a stable habit or trait, not something actively changing. Continuous improvement calls for 一直一直 yìzhí, which captures an ongoing process instead.
❌
他會一向愛你。他会一向爱你。
✅
他會一直愛你。他会一直爱你。
一向一向 yíxiàng only points from the past up to now, so it clashes with the future-pointing 會会 huì. For a future promise, 一直一直 yìzhí works because it isn’t tied to a fixed timeframe.
❌
我一向沒搞清楚他的意思。我一向没搞清楚他的意思。
✅
我一直沒搞清楚他的意思。我一直没搞清楚他的意思。
一向一向 yíxiàng is reserved for long-term habits or traits, not a specific, ongoing state of confusion about one thing. 一直一直 yìzhí or 始終始终 shǐzhōng both fit better here, since they describe a persistent situation rather than a personality trait.
3 一直一直 vs 一向一向 vs 始終始终
All three describe something that hasn’t changed, but they differ in timeframe and tone.
|
一直一直 yìzhí |
一向一向 yíxiàng |
始終始终 shǐzhōng |
| Meaning |
Continuous action or state |
Long-term, habitual consistency |
Unchanging from start to finish |
| Time frame |
Flexible — past, present, or future |
Past up to the present |
From beginning to end |
| Focus |
Duration or ongoing process |
Habits or tendencies |
Persistence throughout |
| Tone |
Neutral, casual |
Neutral, sometimes formal |
Formal, serious, or emotional |
| Common contexts |
Ongoing actions or states |
Personal habits or traits |
Beliefs, values, commitments |
| Example |
你的成績一直在進步。你的成绩一直在进步。 |
他一向說到做到。他一向说到做到。 |
我始終相信努力會有回報。我始终相信努力会有回报。 |
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01This restaurant’s service has always been excellent.
這家餐廳的服務一向很好。这家餐厅的服务一向很好。
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02She has always been very generous.
她一向都很大方。她一向都很大方。
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03My grandfather has always gotten up early.
我爺爺一向都早起。我爷爷一向都早起。
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04This company has always treated its employees well.
這家公司一向善待員工。这家公司一向善待员工。
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05He has always been known for his sense of humor.
他一向以幽默感著稱。他一向以幽默感着称。
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06This university has always been known for its research.
這所大學一向以研究著稱。这所大学一向以研究着称。
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07My mother has always been strict with us.
我媽媽一向對我們很嚴格。我妈妈一向对我们很严格。
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08I’ve always trusted his judgment.
我一向都相信他的判斷。我一向都相信他的判断。
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09This café has always been known for its coffee.
這家咖啡廳一向以咖啡著稱。这家咖啡厅一向以咖啡着称。
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10He has always kept his promises.
他一向都信守承諾。他一向都信守承诺。
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