Chinese Grammar: Expressing “always” with 总是

If you are trying to describe a daily routine, a habit, or just something that consistently happens, you can use the word 总是 (zǒngshì). 总是 means “always,” and like other adverbs, comes before the verb in a sentence.

 

总是 (zǒngshì) with Verbs

总是 is an adverb that is often translated to English as “always.” It is placed before the verb that it modifies.

Structure: Subj. + 总是 + Verb

Examples:

他总是迟到。(tā zǒngshì chídào) = He is always late.

我总是忘记这个词。(wǒ zǒngshì wàngjì zhège cí) = I always forget this word.

他总是一个人吃饭。(tā zǒngshì yīgèrén chīfàn) = He always eats alone.

你男朋友总是说脏话。(nǐ nánpéngyou zǒngshì shuō zānghuà) = Your boyfriend always uses foul language.

我的学生总是问我很多有意思的问题。(wǒ de xuéshēng zǒngshì wèn wǒ hěn duō yǒu yìsi de wèntí) = My students always ask me lots of interesting questions.

 

总是 (zǒngshì) with Adjectives

When 总是 is used together with an adjective, you will need to add a modifier in the middle, such as 很 (hěn), 特别 (tèbié), 这么 (zhème), 那么 (nàme), etc.

Structure: 总是 + Adv. + Adj.

Examples:

他总是很累。(tā zǒngshì hěn lèi) = He is always tired.

你为什么总是很忙?(nǐ wèishénme zǒngshì hěn máng) = Why are you always very busy?

你家总是很干净。(nǐ jiā zǒngshì hěn gānjìng) = Your house is always very clean.

孩子们总是非常开心。(háizi men zǒngshì fēicháng kāixīn) = The children are always very happy.

我的学生总是特别努力。(wǒ de xuéshēng zǒngshì tèbié nǔlì) = My students are always very hard-working.


Post time: May-14-2020