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How to say “always” in Chinese with 总 (zǒng)

总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase

Advanced uses of "总 (zǒng)"

HSK 5Adverbs

Rule structure

总 (zǒng) means "always, invariably". As 总是 (zǒngshì) it’s habitual. In advanced use, it can mean "after all" (总归 (zǒngguī)) or "at least" (总得 (zǒng de)).

Examples

他总是不听劝。

Tā zǒngshì bù tīng quàn.

He always ignores advice.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Advanced uses of "总 (zǒng)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase. For example: 他总是不听劝。 — “He always ignores advice.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他总是不听劝。 — “He always ignores advice.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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More HSK 5 grammar rules

Continuing state with "还 (hái)…呢 (ne)"

Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)

Expressing "just" do it with "干脆 (gāncuì)"

干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase

Advanced uses of "都 (dōu)"

Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate

Expressing "never again" with "再也不 (zài yě bù)"

Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)

Expressing a last chance with "再不 (zài bù) … 就 (jiù) …"

Subj. + 再不 (zài bù) + Verb Phrase, 就 (jiù) + result

Expressing difficulty with "好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì)" / "好容易 (hǎo róngyì)"

好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase

Expressing wasted efforts with "白 (bái)"

白 (bái) + Verb Phrase

Expressing "after all" with "毕竟 (bìjìng)"

毕竟 (bìjìng) + Clause