从来

從來

cónglái

adverb HSK 3 #401

Meanings

1 always
2 at all times
3 never (with negation)

Characters

Examples

他从来不迟到。

Tā cónglái bù chídào.

He is never late.

我从来没见过这么美的地方。

Wǒ cónglái méi jiànguò zhème měi de dìfāng.

I have never seen such a beautiful place.

她从来都是这样。

Tā cónglái dōu shì zhèyàng.

She has always been like this.

Tips

grammar

从来 is most commonly used with negatives: 从来不 (never do) and 从来没 (have never). It can also be used in affirmative sentences with 都 to mean 'always'.

mistakes

Don't confuse 从来不 (habitual 'never') with 从来没 (experiential 'have never'). 从来不 + verb means a habitual action; 从来没 + verb + 过 means never experienced something.

Stroke Order

从 cóng

来 lái