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老是

HSK 4
  • Time

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Subject老是Verb/Adjective

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

The adverb 老是 expresses a repeatedly occurring action, usually carrying a sense of complaint or dissatisfaction.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

The adverb 老是 (lǎoshì) is used to indicate an action or situation that repeatedly occurs, causing the speaker to feel annoyed or dissatisfied. It is very similar to 总是 (zǒngshì), but 老是 carries a more distinctly negative and complaining tone.

It is used when the speaker wants to express frustration about something that keeps happening — for example, when a friend is always late, you can use 老是 to complain about it.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 你怎么老是迟到？
    繁: 你怎麼老是遲到？Nǐ zěnme lǎoshì chídào?

    Why are you always late?

  2. 他老是玩手机游戏。
    繁: 他老是玩手機遊戲。Tā lǎoshì wán shǒujī yóuxì.

    He is always playing mobile phone games.

  3. 我老是忘记带钥匙。
    繁: 我老是忘記帶鑰匙。Wǒ lǎoshì wàngjì dài yàoshi.

    I always forget to bring my keys.

  4. 这台电脑老是死机。
    繁: 這臺電腦老是死機。Zhè tái diànnǎo lǎoshì sǐjī.

    This computer keeps freezing.

  5. 弟弟老是不听话。
    繁: 弟弟老是不聽話。Dìdi lǎoshì bù tīnghuà.

    My younger brother never listens to what he is told.