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" is an adverb that is often translated to English as "always". It is placed before the verb that it modifies.

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 + Modifier + Adj.

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!

Different emphasis about 总是

When the subject is put after 总是，the emphasis is on the subject itself while the emphasis is on the predicates it the subject is put before 总是。

总是＋subject+verb.

subject+总是＋verb.

== Examples ==

• 总是她迟到。It is she that is always late.
• 她总是迟到。 She is always late.

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