How to say “never” in Chinese with 从来 (cónglái)
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.
从来 (cóng lái) — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.
HSK 4Adverbs从来 (cóng lái) — never in negative contexts
Rule structure
从来 (cónglái) means "always" or "all along". It is most commonly used with negatives (从来不 (cónglái bù) / 从来没 (cónglái méi)). With positives it needs 都 (dōu) (从来都 (cónglái dōu)).
Rule structure
从来 (cónglái) means "always" or "all along". It is most commonly used with negatives (从来不 (cónglái bù) / 从来没 (cónglái méi)). With positives it needs 都 (dōu) (从来都 (cónglái dōu)).
Examples
他从来不迟到。
Tā cónglái bù chídào.
He never comes late.
Examples
他从来不迟到。
Tā cónglái bù chídào.
He never comes late.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “never in negative contexts” in Chinese with 从来?
Use the structure: 从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.. For example: 他从来不迟到。 — “He never comes late.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他从来不迟到。 — “He never comes late.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
竟然 — unexpectedly
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.