向来 (always / all along) · 向来 (toujours / depuis toujours)
A reliable colleague has one unusual day
- A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived.
- 他向来准时，今天怎么还没来？ — The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
A reliable colleague has one unusual day
- A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived.
- he / him他always (previously)向来on time准时，today今天how / why怎么still / also还没来？ — The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- 向来 (always / all along): 他向来守时。; 这家店向来生意很好。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- always (previously)向来 (always / all along): he / him他always (previously)向来punctual守时。; 这家inn店always (previously)向来business生意very很good好。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
A colleague is normally punctual, but today has not arrived. What does 他向来准时，今天怎么还没来？ communicate?
The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception. A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible.
Follow the speaker
he他always向来punctual准时。
- In the opening situation: 他向来准时，今天怎么还没来？
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Follow the speaker
he他always向来punctual准时。
- In the opening situation: he / him他always (previously)向来on time准时，today今天how / why怎么still / also还没来？
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Using the pattern named in this lesson: He's always punctual: 他 ____ 准时。
向来(都) + Verb = always / all along: 他向来准时.
向来 can summarise an established habit, even when the next clause describes an exception.
他向来准时，今天却迟到了 contrasts a usual habit with today. The exception does not break the grammar.
Check the limit of the explanation
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception.
- 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible.
Check the limit of the explanation
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception.
- always (previously)向来on time准时 does not make today今天to arrive late迟到 grammatically impossible.
向来准时 means that a later sentence may never mention an exception.
A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible. The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form 向了来准时 needs repair here. Write 向来准时 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form towards向(completed / change)了to come来on time准时 needs repair here. Write always (previously)向来on time准时 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Rewrite the demonstrated repair exactly: 向了来准时
The demonstrated form is 向来准时. The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception.
Keep the distinction
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. 向来准时 does not make 今天迟到 grammatically impossible.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Adverbs.
Keep the distinction
- The speaker contrasts his established record with today's exception. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- A long-standing habit can be followed by an exception. always (previously)向来on time准时 does not make today今天to arrive late迟到 grammatically impossible.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Adverbs.
向来 describes…
向来 = consistently, all along: 我向来不喝酒.