Expressing "always previously" with "xianglai"

向来 (xiànglái) is pretty much the same as 从来, except that 从来 is almost always used with negation (sentences with 不 or 没）.

Structure

向来 is used the same structure as 从来.You can use an optional 都 after the 向来.The basic meaning of 向来 is that something is always like that until the present. 一向 has the same meaning and structure as 向来。

Subject + 向来（都） + Verb/Verb Phrase

Examples

• 我 父母 向来 不 喜欢 我 跟 你们 一起 出去 玩儿。My parents have always disliked me going out to play with you guys.
• 我 向来 努力，所以 我 每 一 次 考试 都 得 满分。I have always pushed myself, so every time I take a test, I always get full marks.
• 那个 足球 队员 一向 被 称为 “金脚”，因为 他 踢 足球 踢 得 非常 好。That soccer player is known as "Goldfoot" because he plays soccer really well.

See also

• "Never" with "conglai"
• "Always" with "conglai"

Sources and further reading

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 1489) →buy

HSK6