Expressing "always" with "zongshi"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
总是 （zǒngshì）and 老是 （lǎoshì) have the same meaning. Both can be interchanged in the same sentence.
Contents
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
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
