How common it is
从来 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say cónglái slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
从来用来表示某事从过去到现在一直持续发生。
zěnme yòng lái lái bǎo shí mǒu shì cóng guò qù dào xiàn zài yī zhí chí xù fā shēng。
从来 is used to indicate that something has been happening from the past until now.
Context note
这个词常用于描述习惯、经历或持续存在的状态，比如：他从来都爱读书。
zhè gè cí cháng yòng lái míng bù guǎn hán xíguàn、jīnglì huò qǔ chí chéng zài chéng dāng，rú jí：tā cónglái dōu ài dú shū。
This word is often used to describe habits, experiences, or ongoing states, for example: He has always loved reading.
5 examples
他从来都不迟到。
tā cóng lái dōu bù chí dào。
He never arrives late.
我从来没见过这么大的雨。
wǒ cóng lái méi jiàn guò zhè me dà de yǔ。
I have never seen such a heavy rain before.
她从来都没有忘记过这件事。
tā cóng lái dōu méi yǒu wàng jì guò zhè jiàn shì。
She has never forgotten this thing.
这个习惯他从来就没有改变过。
zhè ge xí guàn tā cóng lái jiù méi yǒu gǎi biàn guò。
He has never changed this habit.
他们从来都是好朋友。
tā men cóng lái dōu shì hǎo péng yǒu。
They have always been good friends.
5 mini stories
小明从来都爱画画，所以他现在画得很好。
xiǎo míng cóng lái dōu ài huà huà， suǒ yǐ tā xiàn zài huà dé hěn hǎo。
Xiaoming has always loved drawing, so he is now very good at it.
妈妈从来都不吃辣的食物，所以她的胃一直很好。
mā ma cóng lái dōu bù chī là de shí wù， suǒ yǐ tā de wèi yì zhí hěn hǎo。
Mom never eats spicy food, so her stomach has always been fine.
小红从来都没有去过国外，但她梦想着有一天能去。
xiǎo hóng cóng lái dōu méi yǒu qù guò guó wài， dàn tā mèng xiǎng zhe yǒu yì tiān néng qù。
Xiaohong has never gone abroad before, but she dreams of going one day.
爷爷从来都是早起的人，每天早上都会跑步。
yé ye cóng lái dōu shì zǎo qǐ de rén， měi tiān zǎo shàng dōu huì pǎo bù。
Grandpa is always an early riser and runs every morning.
姐姐从来都没有忘记过哥哥的生日，每年都会送礼物。
jiě jie cóng lái dōu méi yǒu wàng jì guò gē ge de shēng rì， měi nián dōu huì sòng lǐ wù。
The elder sister has never forgotten her brother's birthday, sending gifts every year.