AdverbsHSK 4
Expressing "always" with 从来
Use 从来 followed by 都 (or 都是) to express that something has always been the case or always happens. This pattern emphasizes a consistent pattern or characteristic, and it's often used in affirmative declarative sentences. Common error: forgetting to include 都 after 从来.
Structure
Subj. + 从来 + 都 + (是) + Predicate
是 is optional for emphasis
Examples
- 他从来都这样。Tā cónglái dōu zhèyàng.He's always like this.
- 她从来都这么晚睡。Tā cónglái dōu zhème wǎn shuì.She's always gone to bed so late.
- 我们下棋，从来都是他赢。Wǒmen xiàqí, cónglái dōushì tā yíng.He always wins when we play chess.
- 她买衣服从来都是只买名牌。Tā mǎi yīfu cónglái dōushì zhǐ mǎi míngpái.She always buys brand-name clothes when she goes shopping.
- 我从来都是一个人住，已经习惯了。Wǒ cónglái dōushì yīgèrén zhù, yǐjīng xíguàn le.I've always lived alone; I'm used to it already.