TongTong通通
Sign in
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 cóng lái bù hē jiǔ.
    She never drinks.
  • 我女朋友从不给我打电话。
    Wǒ nǚ péng you cóng bù gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà.
    My girlfriend never calls me.
  • 这个人很奇怪，他从来不笑。
    Zhè ge rén hěn qí guài, tā cóng lái bú xiào.
    This person is very strange. He never laughs.
  • 你父母从来不打你吗？
    Nǐ fù mǔ cóng lái bù dǎ nǐ ma?
    Your parents never hit you?
  • 他从不关心别人。
    Tā cóng bù guān xīn bié rén.
    He never cares about other people.

Words that use this