Meaning of 从来
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- always
- at all times
- never (if used in negative sentence)
How to use 从来
从来 is an adverb placed before the verb, and it is most often used with 不 or 没 to mean "never." Example: 我从来没去过北京。(Wǒ cónglái méi qùguo Běijīng.) I have never been to Beijing.
从 (cóng) means "from" and 来 (lái) means "come," so 从来 is "from the start up to now." Picture two people walking one behind the other in 从, following the same path all the way here.
Common mistake: Learners often use 从来 alone in positive sentences to mean "always" in daily habits, like 我从来喝咖啡, which sounds wrong. For everyday "always," use 总是 (zǒngshì) or 一直 (yìzhí), and keep 从来 mostly for negative sentences.
从来 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
从 cóng · from · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
来 lái · to come · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 从来.
| 回来 | huílái | to return; to come back |
| 起来 | qǐlái | to stand up; to get up; also pr. [qi3lai2] |
| 出来 | chūlái | to come out; to appear |
| 进来 | jìnlái | to come in |
| 来到 | láidào | to arrive; to come |
| 过来 | guòlái | to come over; to manage |
| 带来 | dàilái | to bring; (fig.) to bring about; to produce |
| 来自 | láizì | to come from (a place); From: (in email header) |
| 原来 | yuánlái | original; former; originally; formerly; at first |
| 后来 | hòulái | afterwards; later; newly arrived |
| 接下来 | jiē xiàlái | to accept; to take |
| 越来越 | yuè lái yuè | more and more |
Questions about 从来
What does 从来 mean?
从来 (cónglái) means "always; at all times" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 从来?
从来 is made of 2 characters: 从 (4 strokes), 来 (7 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 从来 an HSK word?
Yes. 从来 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 从来 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 从来 is written 從來.
What is the difference between 从来不 and 从来没?
从来不 (cónglái bù) describes a habit or choice, as in 他从来不喝酒 (he never drinks). 从来没 (cónglái méi) describes past experience, usually with 过 (guo), as in 我从来没见过他 (I have never met him).
Can 从来 be used in a positive sentence at all?
Yes, but it sounds formal and usually goes with words like 都 or 就, as in 他从来都很认真 (he has always been very serious). In casual speech, 一直 or 总是 is more natural for positive meaning.