Meanings of 历来
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Podcast: 历来
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AI Study Notes for 历来
历来 (lìlái) vs 一直 (yīzhí): Use 历来 when emphasizing historical continuity or tradition, while 一直 focuses on uninterrupted action or state.
Be careful not to confuse 历来 with 以往 (yǐwǎng), which also refers to the past but with a slight difference in nuance. 历来 is more formal and often appears in written contexts. Common collocations include 历来的经验 (lìlái de jīngyàn - historical experience) and 历来的传统 (lìlái de chuántǒng - longstanding traditions).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 历来 is often used in more complex sentences and texts. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in historical or comparative contexts, and practice using it in sentences that discuss continuity or tradition.
Learners often misuse 历来 by pairing it with terms that imply a singular past event. For example, saying '历来有一次会议' is incorrect; it should be '历来有很多会议' to emphasize ongoing occurrences.
Pronunciation of 历来
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Component Characters
How to say always in Chinese
“always” in Chinese is历来
历来 (lìlái) means 'always' or 'throughout a period of time,' referring to something that has consistently occurred or existed from the past to the present. It is often used in contexts where a historical continuity is emphasized, such as traditions, beliefs, or trends that have persisted over time.
When to use 历来
Be careful not to confuse 历来 with 以往 (yǐwǎng), which also refers to the past but with a slight difference in nuance. 历来 is more formal and often appears in written contexts. Common collocations include 历来的经验 (lìlái de jīngyàn - historical experience) and 历来的传统 (lìlái de chuántǒng - longstanding traditions).
历来 or something close to it
历来 (lìlái) vs 一直 (yīzhí): Use 历来 when emphasizing historical continuity or tradition, while 一直 focuses on uninterrupted action or state.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 历来 by pairing it with terms that imply a singular past event. For example, saying '历来有一次会议' is incorrect; it should be '历来有很多会议' to emphasize ongoing occurrences.
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Grammar Patterns of 历来
历来 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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王老师____重视培养学生的动手能力。
Teacher Wang has always placed great importance on developing students' hands-on abilities.
Example Sentences for 历来 (3)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 历来
While 历来 can be understood in informal contexts, it is typically more common in formal writing or discussions, so consider using more casual terms in everyday speech.
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