Expressing "always" with "zongshi"

总是 （zǒngshì）and 老是 （lǎoshì) have the same meaning. Both can be interchanged in the same sentence.

Structure with Verbs

总是 + V.

Examples

• 他 总是 迟到。He is always late.
• 小 孩子 不能 总是 吃 肉 不 吃 蔬菜。Children cannot always eat meat and never eat vegetables.
• 我 总是 忘记 这 个 词。I always forget this word.

Structure with Adjectives

When 总是 is used together with an adjective, you will need to add a modifier in the middle, such as "这么", "那么", "很", "特别" etc.

总是 + adjunct word + Adjectives

Examples

• 你 回家 总是 这么 晚。When you come home your are this late.
• 海南 总是 那么 热。Hainan is always that hot.
• 别 总是 不 高兴。Don't always be be unhappy.
• 她 总是 很 开心，真好！She is always excited, that's good!

See also

• "Always" as a complaint with "laoshi"
• "Always" with "conglai"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 271) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 18) →buy