AdverbsHSK 3
Expressing "all along" with 一直
一直 means "continuously" or "all along," and you use it before a verb or adjective to show that an action or state has been happening without interruption up to the present. In many cases, the natural English translation is "always," but remember that 一直 doesn't mean "always" in the sense of a general truth—it's about ongoing continuity.
Structure
Subj. + 一直 + Predicate
The predicate can be a verb phrase, an adjective, or include 在/都 for emphasis on ongoing action or scope.
Examples
- 我一直在学习中文。Wǒ yīzhí zài xuéxí Zhōngwén.I've been studying Chinese all along.
- 老板一直很忙。Lǎobǎn yīzhí hěn máng.The boss is always very busy.
- 我一直很喜欢你。Wǒ yīzhí hěn xǐhuan nǐ.I've always liked you a lot.
- 爸爸一直都不抽烟。Bàba yīzhí dōu bù chōuyān.Dad has never smoked cigarettes.
- 我男朋友一直在中国教英文。Wǒ nánpéngyou yīzhí zài Zhōngguó jiāo Yīngwén.My boyfriend has always been teaching English in China.