一直 vs 一向 (continuously vs habitually)
Unbroken line, standing habit
- Both mean "all along / continuously" — but differ in scope.
- all along一直 = continuously / straight through (any subject, any time — no break).
- always (previously)一向 = habitually / consistently (a long-standing personal trait).
all along一直 = continuously / straight
- I / me我all along一直at / in在to wait for等you你 = "I've been waiting for you the whole time."
I我continuously一直(doing)在wait等you你。
- all along一直at / in在to wait for等you你 = "have been waiting all along."
Practice
He's always been modest: 他 ____ 很谦虚。
一向 = habitually (a trait): 他一向很谦虚.
always (previously)一向 = habitually (a trait)
- he / him他always (previously)一向very很modest谦虚 = "he's always been modest."
he他habitually一向very很modest谦虚。
- he / him他always (previously)一向very很modest谦虚 = "he's always been modest."
Explore
Which column does it belong in?
一直 covers everything — space, progress, habits; 一向 only ever marks a standing manner, so habit sentences take both.
Practice
Which means “continuously / without interruption” over a span?
一直 = unbroken over a span; 一向 = a long-standing trait.
Practice
一直 can describe an unbroken action (一直在等).
Yes — 我一直在等你 (the whole time).
Recap
Key idea
- all along一直 = continuously / straight through (no interruption): all along一直at / in在to wait for等
- always (previously)一向 = habitually / consistently (a personal trait): always (previously)一向modest谦虚
- all along一直 = unbroken over a span; always (previously)一向 = a long-standing habit
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.