Expressing "always" with "conglai"

Although perhaps more often used in the negative to mean "never," 从来 (cónglái) can be used with 都 (dōu) to mean "always" or "have always (done)."

Structure with 都

Without the negative adverbs 不 and 没, 从来 takes on the meaning of "always." (Literally, 从来 means something like "from the beginning," although no one is really thinking that phrase when they use it.) When used in the positive, though, it is customary to put the adverb 都 after the 从来.

Subject + 从来 + 都 + Verb Phrase

Examples

• 她 从来 都 是 这样，自私 得 很 。
• 我 从来 都 是 一 个 人，已经 习惯 了。
• 他 从来 都 不 会 做饭 。

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词(p.132) →buy