始终
HSK 5- Time
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The adverb 始终 emphasizes that a state or action remains unchanged from beginning to end.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Adverb 始终 (shǐzhōng) means "from beginning to end" or "always." It emphasizes that an action or state remains completely unchanged throughout an entire process.
Compared to 一直, 始终 carries a stronger nuance, implying steadfastness and consistency from start to finish. It typically combines with verbs or adjectives to describe this sense of constancy.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他始终支持我的决定。繁: 他始終支持我的決定。Tā shǐzhōng zhīchí wǒ de juédìng.
He has always supported my decisions.
- 这个问题始终没有解决。繁: 這個問題始終沒有解決。Zhè ge wèntí shǐzhōng méiyǒu jiějué.
This problem has never been resolved from beginning to end.
- 她始终保持着微笑。繁: 她始終保持著微笑。Tā shǐzhōng bǎochí zhe wēixiào.
She always maintains a smile.
- 我始终相信你是对的。繁: 我始終相信你是對的。Wǒ shǐzhōng xiāngxìn nǐ shì duì de.
I have always believed that you are right.
- 他始终不承认自己的错误。繁: 他始終不承認自己的錯誤。Tā shǐzhōng bù chéngrèn zìjǐ de cuòwù.
He never admitted his mistakes.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他没始终来。Correct:他始终没来。
Negation adverbs like 没 or 不 must come after 始终, not before it.
- Wrong:我们是朋友始终。Correct:我们始终是朋友。
始终 is an adverb and must come before the verb (是) it modifies; it cannot stand at the end of the sentence.