Expressing "always" with "zongshi"

If you are trying to describe a daily routine, a habit, or just something that consistently happens, you can use the word 总是 (zǒngshì). 总是 (zǒngshì) means "always," and like other adverbs, comes before the verb in a sentence.

总是 (zǒngshì) with Verbs

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

Structure

Subj. + 总是 + Verb

Examples

• 他 总是 迟到。Tā zǒngshì chídào. He is always late.
• 我 总是 忘记 这 个 词。Wǒ zǒngshì wàngjì zhège cí. I always forget this word.
• 他 总是 一个人 吃饭。Tā zǒngshì yīgèrén chīfàn. He always eats alone.
• 你 男朋友 总是 说 脏话。Nǐ nánpéngyou zǒngshì shuō zānghuà. Your boyfriend always uses foul language.
• 我 的 学生 总是 问 我 很多 有意思 的 问题。Wǒ de xuéshēng zǒngshì wèn wǒ hěn duō yǒuyìsi de wèntí.My students always ask me lots of interesting questions.

总是 (zǒngshì) with Adjectives

Structure

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

总是 + Modifier + Adj.

Examples

• 他 总是 很 累。Tā zǒngshì hěn lèi.He is always tired.
• 别 总是 不 高兴。Bié zǒngshì bù gāoxìng.Don't always be unhappy.
• 你 为什么 总是 这么 忙？Nǐ wèishénme zǒngshì zhème máng?Why are you always so busy?
• 他 做事 总是 那么 慢。Tā zuò shì zǒngshì nàme màn.He always does things so slow.
• 妈妈 睡觉 总是 那么 晚。Māma shuìjiào zǒngshì nàme wǎn.Mom always goes to bed so late.

See also

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

Sources and further reading

• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (p. 271) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (p. 18) →buy
• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 79) →buy