Chinese word

向来

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàng lái

Meaning

  • adverbalways

Example

她向来对孩子很有耐心。tā xiàng lái duì hái zi hěn yǒu nài xīn

She has always been very patient with children.

Illustration for 向来 (always)

More examples

这个问题向来被视为复杂而敏感。zhè ge wèn tí xiàng lái bèi shì wéi fù zá ér mín gǎn

This issue has always been considered complex and sensitive.

Core concept

A quality or behavior stays on the same course as time moves from the past to now.

Common phrases

  • 向来被视为xiàng lái bèi shì wéi

    always be considered

  • 向来重视安全xiàng lái zhòng shì ān quán

    always value safety

Similar words

一直yì zhí: Shows that an action or state keeps going continuously.
一向yí xiàng: Shows a long-standing habit, view, or condition that remains the same.
从来cóng lái: Covers the entire time from the past to the present, especially when saying never.
历来lì lái: Refers to a long-established condition or practice in formal written language.

Definition in Chinese

表示从过去到现在一直如此的状态，用作副词。biǎo shì cóng guò qù dào xiàn zài yì zhí rú cǐ de zhuàng tài yòng zuò fù cí

Word origin

向来 (xiànglái, "always") uses 向 (xiàng, "formerly") + 来 (lái, "come") to express a condition that comes from earlier times and remains valid now.

Usage tips

  • The word suits descriptions of a person's character or usual conduct because it presents the statement as a settled record, not a report about one occasion.

Opposites

Word lists with this word