{{Grammar Box}} 

We have a few ways to say "always" in Chinese, and one of them is to use the word 老是 (lǎoshì).

== Used with Verbs ==

=== Structure ===

老是 is an adverb, usually translated into English as "always." It expresses that an action or a condition constantly repeats or continues. 老是 also has an unsatisfied or frustrated tone and can be interchanged with [["Always" with "zongshi"|the word 总是]].

<div class="jiegou">
老是 + Verb
</div>

You can also use "老" instead of "老是."

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

*你 怎么 <em>老是</em> 加班 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zěnme <em>lǎoshì</em> jiābān?</span><span class="trans">Why do you always work overtime?</span>
*他 <em>老</em> 说 脏 话 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>lǎo</em> shuō zānghuà.</span><span class="trans">He always says bad words.</span>
*这个 机器 <em>老</em> 出 问题 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège jīqì <em>lǎo</em> chū wèntí.</span><span class="trans">There is always something wrong with this machine.</span>
*他 <em>老是</em> 抱怨 自己 的 生活 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>lǎoshì</em> bàoyuàn zǐjǐ de shēnghuó.</span><span class="trans">He complains about his life all the time.</span>
*你 <em>老是</em> 找 借口 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>lǎoshì</em> zhǎo jièkǒu.</span><span class="trans">You always make excuses.</span>

</div>

== Used with Adjectives ==

=== Structure ===

When it is used together with an adjective, 老是 usually has an adverb such as "不, 很, 非常, 这么, 那么" etc., after it.

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 老是 + Adv. + Adj.
</div>

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

*这个 老师 <em>老是</em> 很 严肃 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège lǎoshī <em>lǎoshì</em> hěn yánsù.</span><span class="trans">This teacher is always very serious.</span>
*你 <em>老是</em> 这么 凶 干吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>lǎoshì</em> zhème xiōng gànmá?</span><span class="trans">Why are you always so mean to me?</span>
*你 怎么 <em>老是</em> 不 高兴 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zěnme <em>lǎoshì</em> bù gāoxìng? </span><span class="trans">How are you always unhappy?</span>
*别 <em>老是</em> 那么 自恋 。<span class="pinyin">Bié <em>lǎoshì</em> nàme zìliàn.</span><span class="trans">Don't be so self-absorbed all the time.</span>
*你 家 的 东西 怎么 <em>老是</em> 坏 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ jiā de dōngxi zěnme <em>lǎoshì</em> huài?</span><span class="trans">How come there's always something broken in your house?</span>

</div>

== See also ==

*[["Always" with "conglai"]]
*[["Never" with "conglai"]]

== Sources and  further reading ==
=== Websites ===

* [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/always-in-chinese-%E6%80%BB%E6%98%AF-z%C7%92ngshi-and-%E8%80%81%E6%98%AF-l%C7%8Eoshi Qingwen: Always in Chinese: 总是 (zǒngshì) and 老是]

=== Dictionaries ===

* [[现代汉语词典（第5版）]] (pp. 145) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]

[[Category:B1 grammar points]]

{{Basic Grammar|老是|B1|Subj. + 老是 / 老 + Verb|你 怎么 <em>老是</em> 加班 ？|grammar point|ASGII66E}}
{{Rel char|老}}
{{Rel char|是}}
{{Similar|"Always" with "conglai" }} 
{{Similar|"Always" with "zongshi"}} 
{{Similar|Comparing "buduan" and "buting"}}
{{Used for|Expressing frequency}}
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
{{POS|Adverbs}}
{{Translation|always}}