Meanings of 总是
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Podcast: 总是
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AI Study Notes for 总是
总是 (always) vs 常常 (often) — use 总是 for actions that are consistently reliable, while 常常 indicates frequency without the same certainty.
总是 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious about its placement in a sentence. A common mistake is to use it at the beginning of a sentence, which can sound awkward; it typically follows the subject. For example, instead of saying '总是我去,' say '我总是去.'
As HSK Level 3 vocabulary, 总是 connects with other time-related words like '从来' (cóng lái) meaning 'ever' and '有时' (yǒu shí) meaning 'sometimes.' Focus on using it to create simple sentences about habits or routines to reinforce its meaning.
Learners often confuse 总是 with 有时 (sometimes), leading to sentences like '我总是去商店' when they mean 'I sometimes go to the store.' It's important to use 总是 when you intend to convey a sense of regularity.
Pronunciation of 总是
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Component Characters
How to say always in Chinese
“always” in Chinese is总是
总是 (zǒng shì) means 'always' in Mandarin. It is used to express that something happens consistently or repeatedly in a given context. This word conveys a sense of reliability and predictability in actions or events.
When to use 总是
总是 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious about its placement in a sentence. A common mistake is to use it at the beginning of a sentence, which can sound awkward; it typically follows the subject. For example, instead of saying '总是我去,' say '我总是去.'
总是 or something close to it
总是 (always) vs 常常 (often) — use 总是 for actions that are consistently reliable, while 常常 indicates frequency without the same certainty.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 总是 with 有时 (sometimes), leading to sentences like '我总是去商店' when they mean 'I sometimes go to the store.' It's important to use 总是 when you intend to convey a sense of regularity.
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Practice writing 总是 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 总是
总是 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他____迟到。
He is always late.
Example Sentences for 总是 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 总是
Yes, you can use 总是 to describe feelings that are consistently experienced, such as '我总是感到快乐' (I always feel happy).
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