HSK · Level 46
120 words
Chinese word
历来
Pronunciation
Pinyinlì lái
Meaning
- adverbalways
Example
他历来很谨慎。tā lì lái hěn jǐn shèn
He has always been very cautious.
More examples
这个问题历来受到重视。zhè ge wèn tí lì lái shòu dào zhòng shì
This issue has long been taken seriously.
Core concept
A line of time that begins in the past and reaches the present without breaking.
Common phrases
历来一向lì lái yí xiàng
always
历来被视为lì lái bèi shì wéi
has long been regarded as
历来受到重视lì lái shòu dào zhòng shì
has long been taken seriously
Similar words
一直yì zhí: Indicates that an action or condition carries on continuously.
从来cóng lái: Emphasizes that a condition has consistently held true from the past to now.
一向yí xiàng: Describes a settled habit, attitude, or method maintained for a long time.
向来xiàng lái: Indicates that something has traditionally been the case and remains so now.
Definition in Chinese
自过去到现在一直如此，用于表示某种情况、观点或做法长期维持不变。zì guò qù dào xiàn zài yì zhí rú cǐ yòng yú biǎo shì móu zhǒng qíng kuàng guān diǎn huò zuò fǎ cháng qī wéi chí bú biàn
Word origin
The compound 历来 (lìlái, "always") joins 历 (lì, "pass through time") and 来 (lái, "come"), so its form points to a condition carried forward until now.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this formal-sounding adverb often frames a long-standing custom, policy, or view, while simpler time expressions usually fit casual speech better.