从来

cóng lái

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adverb Very common

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Definitions

1. ever; always from the past

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 从不 cóng bù 从不 cóng bù 强调否定的习惯性: 强调否定的习惯性

Synonyms

3 items

• 向来 xiàng lái 向来 xiàng lái always (previously) 多用于肯定句，表示一贯如此: always (previously)
• 一直 yī zhí 一直 yī zhí straight (in a straight line) 较口语化，可用于肯定和否定句: straight (in a straight line)
• 始终 shǐ zhōng 始终 shǐ zhōng from beginning to end 强调从始至终不变: from beginning to end

Usage notes

Common mistakes

从来多用于否定句（如“从来不”），少用于肯定句；肯定句中常与“就”连用（如“从来就好”）。

Grammar

Guides that feature 从来

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 6 min

过 for Experience

Talk about places visited, foods tried, and things done at least once.

Reading: cóng lái Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown

他 从来 不喝酒。

He never drinks alcohol.

他 从来 不计较这些小事情。

He never bothers about such small matters.

我 从来 没有接触过这种文化。

I have never been exposed to this kind of culture.

他非常诚实， 从来 不说谎。

He is very honest and never lies.

他太自私， 从来 不考虑别人的感受。

He is too selfish and never considers others' feelings.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 从来

• 从来没 从来没 cóng lái méi: have never
• 从来没有 从来没有 cóng lái méi yǒu: there has never been; has never had

Child Words of 从来

• 来 来 lái: to come
• 从 从 cóng: from