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AdverbsHSK 4

Using "always" as a complaint with 老是

Use 老是 (or its shorter form 老) to express that an action or condition constantly repeats or continues, often with a tone of annoyance or complaint. It can be followed by a verb or an adjective, and when used with adjectives, it is typically paired with adverbs like 不, 很, 这么.

Structure

Subj. + 老是 / 老 + Predicate
The predicate can be a verb or an adjective. When an adjective is used, an adverb like 不, 很, 这么 often follows 老是.

Examples

  • 你怎么老是加班？
    Nǐ zěn me lǎo shì jiā bān?
    Why are you always working late?
  • 那个孩子老说脏话。
    Nà ge hái zi lǎo shuō zāng huà.
    That kid always says bad words.
  • 你怎么老是不高兴？
    Nǐ zěn me lǎo shì bù gāo xìng?
    How are you always unhappy?
  • 这个老师老是这么严肃。
    Zhè ge lǎo shī lǎo shì zhè me yán sù.
    This teacher is always so serious.
  • 奶奶老是忘带钥匙。
    Nǎi nai lǎo shì wàng dài yào shi.
    Grandma forgets to take her keys all the time.

Words that use this