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 (zǒngshì) means "always," and like other
adverbs, comes before the verb in a sentence.
总是 (zǒngshì) with Verbs
总是 (zǒngshì) 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
Structure
When 总是 (zǒngshì) 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.
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.
See also
- ["Always" as a complaint with
"laoshi"]("Always"_as_a_complaintwith"laoshi" "wikilink")
- ["Always" with "conglai"]("Always"with"conglai" "wikilink")
Sources and further reading
Category:A2 grammar points