向来
HSK 5- Time
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The adverb 向来 expresses a habit or state that has always been the case from the past up to the present.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
You use 向来 to talk about a habit, a personality trait, or a situation that has existed since long ago in the past and continues right up to the present. It carries the meaning of "always been this way" or "consistently so from the beginning until now."
向来 is typically used for things that have become established practice or routine, and it usually carries a neutral or positive tone. It emphasizes the consistency of an action or state over a long period of time.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他向来睡得很早。繁: 他向來睡得很早。Tā xiànglái shuì de hěn zǎo.
He has always gone to bed very early.
- 她向来很准时。繁: 她向來很準時。Tā xiànglái hěn zhǔnshí.
She has always been very punctual.
- 我们公司向来不加班。繁: 我們公司向來不加班。Wǒmen gōngsī xiànglái bù jiābān.
Our company has never required overtime work.
- 我向来不喜欢吃辣。繁: 我向來不喜歡吃辣。Wǒ xiànglái bù xǐhuān chī là.
I have never liked eating spicy food.
- 这里的冬天向来很冷。繁: 這裡的冬天向來很冷。Zhèlǐ de dōngtiān xiànglái hěn lěng.
The winter here has always been very cold.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他昨天向来很忙。Correct:他向来很忙。
向来 indicates a prolonged habit or pattern, not a specific moment in the past like 昨天.
- Wrong:我不向来喝酒。Correct:我向来不喝酒。
Negative adverbs such as `不` or `没` must come after `向来`, not before it.