Difference between revisions of "Expressing "always" with "conglai""

Revision as of 02:06, 18 June 2013

Level

B1 / HSK4
Level

B1
Level

HSK4
Similar to
Similar to
- Expressing "always" with "zongshi" (HSK3)
- Using "always" as a complaint with "laoshi" (HSK3)
- Expressing "never" with "conglai" (HSK4)
- Expressing "always previously" with "xianglai" (HSK6)
Used for

Referring to the past, Expressing frequency
Keywords

是, 来, 都, 从, 从来

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。He's always been like that, very selfish.
我 从来都 是一个人，已经习惯了.
他 从来都 不会做饭。I've never been able to cook (rice)

Sources and further reading

Books

现代汉语八百词(p.132) →buy
Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (p. 59) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (p. 121) →buy

Websites

Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 从来

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 * [[现代汉语八百词]](p.132) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001198GSW&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001198GSW →buy]
 * [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (p. 59) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
+* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)]] (p. 121) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy]
 ===Websites===