How to use 老是
Subj. + 老 (是 ) + Verb
老是 describes something that keeps happening or remains persistently true. It commonly carries dissatisfaction, especially when the speaker complains about a repeated behavior. Put it after the subject and before the predicate. Descriptive predicates often include a degree expression or negative that makes the intended evaluation clear.
The shorter 老 can serve the same adverbial function in conversation. This does not mean that the person or thing is old; the verb phrase and position reveal the recurring-action reading. 总是 overlaps in frequency meaning, but can sound more neutral in many contexts. Neither word guarantees a literal exceptionless pattern: everyday complaints often exaggerate a strong tendency, and tone helps establish the speaker's actual attitude.
Examples with pinyin and English
你怎么老是加班？
Why are you always working late?
那个孩子老说脏话。
That kid always says bad words.
你怎么老是不高兴？
How are you always unhappy?
你儿子上课的时候老是说话。
Your son talks all the time in class.
What to remember
- Place 老是 before the recurring predicate.
- 老 can be a conversational shorter form.
- Frustration is common, not mechanically guaranteed.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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