Difference between revisions of "Expressing "always" with "conglai""
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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)." | 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 | + | == Structure == |
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 08:47, 13 June 2017
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Keywords
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
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.
Subj. + 从来 + 都 + Verb Phrase
Examples
- 她 从来 都 这样，自私 得 很 。She's always been like that, very selfish.
- 我 从来 都 一个人，已经 习惯 了。I have always been alone; I'm used to it already.
- 他 的 电影 从来 都 是 最 受欢迎 的 。His movies are always the most popular ones.
- 成功 从来 都 是 要 靠 自己 努力 的。Success always depends on one's own efforts.
- 生活 从来 都 不 公平。Life is always unfair.
See Also
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
