Writing
总 (zǒng) — how to say "always" in Chinese
总
Always; general, chief
frequency adverb · verb · adjective
1. always; invariably; consistentlyHSK 3.0 · level 3
frequency adverb
2. to unite; to gather together; to sum upHSK 3.0 · level 5
verb
3. general; overall; totalHSK 3.0 · level 5
adjective
How to use it
Character composition
总
always; general
Radicals / Keys
心
Heart
#61 · xīn · 4 strokes
Collocations
总在图书馆
zǒng zài túshūguǎn
always at the library
总想帮忙
zǒng xiǎng bāngmáng
always want to help
Examples
我们总是喜欢一起吃饭。
We always enjoy eating together.
总的来说，这个计划是可行的。
Overall, this plan is feasible.
Mnemonic
[zǒng-] Mole Zong 总 digs the same little hole — always, every single day! "Do you always dig here?" asks the worm. "总 yes, always!" nods the mole. 🐭⛏️
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say "always" in Chinese?
"always" in Chinese is 总 (zǒng).
总 meaning in English
总 (zǒng) means "Always; general, chief".
总 pronunciation
It is pronounced zǒng (written as zong). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
How do you write "always" in Chinese characters?
It is written 总 and has 9 strokes. The Writing section above animates the stroke order and lets you trace it.
What HSK 3.0 level is 总?
总 is on the HSK 3.0 level 3 word list. It is not part of the six-level HSK 2.0 lists.
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Grammar with 总
总是 — always
总是 (zǒngshì) + Predicate
却 — however, yet
⋯⋯，却 (què)⋯⋯
总 — always, all the time
总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase
总之 — in short
总之 (zǒngzhī) + Summary / Conclusion
这 那 — this and that
Verb + 这 (zhè) + Verb + 那 (nà)
概括来说 — summary and conclusion
概括来说 (gàikuò lái shuō) / 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) / 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) / 归根到底 (guīgēndàodǐ) / 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) / 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) + Conclusion