总是

zǒng shì

HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Adverb Very common

Definitions

1. always

Word relationships

Antonyms

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• 从来不 cóng lái bù 从来不 cóng lái bù 表示从来没有: 表示从来没有

Register variants

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• 老 lǎo 老 lǎo prefix used before the surname of a person or a numeral indicating the order of birth of the children in a family or to indicate affection or familiarity 口语中表示总是，带不满语气: prefix used before the surname of a person or a numeral indicating the order of birth of the children in a family or to indicate affection or familiarity

Related words

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• 经常 jīng cháng 经常 jīng cháng frequently; constantly; regularly; often 表示频率高但非总是: frequently; constantly; regularly; often

Synonyms

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• 一直 yī zhí 一直 yī zhí straight (in a straight line) 表示持续不变: straight (in a straight line)

Usage notes

Collocations

Always used before the verb or adjective it modifies; 总是 + Verb/Adj.

Common mistakes

In negative sentences, use 不总是 (not always) rather than 总是不 to negate 'always' correctly.

Example Sentences

5 shown

他 总是 标榜自己是个环保主义者，却每天开车上班。

He always flaunts himself as an environmentalist, yet drives to work every day.

他 总是 不开心，好像有什么心病。

He is always unhappy, as if he has some secret worry.

事物 总是 在不断变化的。

Things are always changing.

不要 总是 怨别人。

Don't always blame others.

他们 总是 互相吹捧。

They always flatter each other.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 总是

• 是 是 shì: to be (followed by substantives only)
• 总 总 zǒng: general; overall