向来

xiàng lái

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. always (previously)

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 偶尔 ǒu ěr 偶尔 ǒu ěr occasionally “向来”表示一贯如此，“偶尔”表示间或发生: occasionally

Related words

1 item

• 从来 cóng lái 从来 cóng lái ever; always from the past “从来”多用于否定句，“向来”肯定、否定都常用: ever; always from the past

Synonyms

2 items

• 一直 yī zhí 一直 yī zhí straight (in a straight line) 两者都可表示某种情况或状态从过去到现在持续不变，但“向来”更强调一贯如此，常用于总结习惯或性格: straight (in a straight line)
• 一向 yī xiàng 一向 yī xiàng always (previously) 都表示一贯以来如此，“向来”语气更重，常用于正式场合: always (previously)

Usage notes

Collocations

“向来”后面一般不直接跟单个单音节动词，通常跟双音节词或短语，例如“向来准时”，不说“向来忙”。

Common mistakes

注意“向来”不用于具体的未来计划，只用于描述从过去到现在的持续状态，不能说“我向来会去”。

Grammar

Guides that feature 向来

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min

向来, 随即, 暂且 and 届时: Formal Time Adverbs

Learn thirteen written-style time adverbs: 向来/历来 “always”, 即/随即/即时 “at once”, 届时 “when the time comes”, 一经 “once”, 就此 “at this point”, 暂且/姑且 “for now”, 尚 “still”, 尽早/早日 “as soon as possible”.

Reading: xiàng lái Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 向来 很准时。

He has always been very punctual.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 向来

• 来 来 lái: to come
• 向 向 xiàng: towards