How to use 向来
Subject + 向来 + (都) + predicate
向来 describes a pattern that has consistently held over the relevant past up to the present discussion. It often concerns habits, preferences, behavior, or established characteristics. The speaker treats the current statement as part of a familiar history rather than a one-time event. English translations include always, traditionally, or all along, depending on what kind of consistency is being described.
Put 向来 before the predicate, with optional 都 to reinforce the scope. Affirmative and negative statements are both possible. 一向 frequently works in similar contexts. Do not confuse this long-established pattern with an action happening continuously without interruption: the person can have a consistent habit even though they are not performing it at every moment.
Examples with pinyin and English
我向来不喝冷水。
I have always avoided drinking cold water.
向来 presents a longstanding negative habit.
她向来做事认真。
She has always been conscientious about her work.
The sentence describes an established characteristic.
这家店向来都很忙。
This shop has always been very busy.
都 reinforces the consistent pattern.
What to remember
- Use 向来 for an established consistent pattern.
- Allow affirmative or negative predicates.
- Distinguish habitual consistency from uninterrupted action.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation and examples written for Laowai using the grammar curriculum as a topic reference. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.