HSK · Level 64
105 words
Chinese word
一向
Pronunciation
Pinyinyī xiàng
Meaning
- adverbalways
Example
她一向迟到。tā yí xiàng chí dào
She is always late.
More examples
她一向支持环保活动。tā yí xiàng zhī chí huán bǎo huó dòng
She has always supported environmental protection activities.
Core concept
The same pattern remains in place across a stretch of time without changing.
Common phrases
一向支持yí xiàng zhī chí
always support
一向相信yí xiàng xiāng xìn
always believe
一向认为yí xiàng rèn wéi
always think
Similar words
一直yì zhí: Describes an action or state that has gone on continuously since a specific time.
总是zǒng shì: Describes a repeated pattern or a usual state of affairs.
常常cháng cháng: Describes an action or event that occurs again and again at a high frequency.
向来xiàng lái: Describes a fact or quality that has consistently existed from long ago to the present.
Definition in Chinese
表示某种行为或状态从过去到现在一直保持不变，强调持续性或一贯性。biǎo shì móu zhǒng xíng wéi huò zhuàng tài cóng guò qù dào xiàn zài yì zhí bǎo chí bú biàn qiáng diào chí xù xìng huò yí guàn xìng
Word origin
The literal combination 一向 (yīxiàng, "one direction") suggests a single, unchanging course and becomes a word for a continuing personal habit or state.
Usage tips
- English always can sound absolute, while this adverb often presents a person's usual behavior as a long-standing pattern.