Verb phrasesHSK 3
Expressing 'never' with 从来
Use 从来 (cónglái) or its short form 从 (cóng) followed by 不 (bù) and a verb phrase to express that something never happens. This pattern emphasizes that throughout a period of time up to now, the action does not occur. Note that this structure uses 不 for habitual or present negation; to express that something never happened in the past, use 从来 没有/没 instead.
Structure
Subj. + 从来 + 不 + Verb Phrase
Subj. + 从 + 不 + Verb Phrase
Shortened form; 来 is omitted in casual speech.
Examples
- 她从来不喝酒。Tā cónglái bù hējiǔ.She never drinks.
- 我女朋友从不给我打电话。Wǒ nǚpéngyou cóng bù gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.My girlfriend never calls me.
- 这个人很奇怪，他从来不笑。Zhège rén hěn qíguài, tā cónglái bù xiào.This person is very strange. He never laughs.
- 你父母从来不打你吗？Nǐ fùmǔ cónglái bù dǎ nǐ ma?Your parents never hit you?
- 他从不关心别人。Tā cóng bù guānxīn biérén.He never cares about other people.