HSK Guide

总是總是 zǒngshì — always, invariably

zǒngshì (third tone, dipping)zong3shi4

Traditional: 總是

always, invariably

HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)adverb
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Meanings

  1. always, invariably

    Says that something happens every single time the occasion arises. 经常 says "often"; 一直 says "without a break"; 总是 says "without exception".

    adverb

Character breakdown

  • 是
    shì (fourth tone, falling)

    to be (am, is, are); yes, that is so; correct, right

    9 strokes⿱日正Radical 日

Example sentences

  • 他总是第一个到教室。他總是第一個到教室。Tā (first tone, high and level) zǒngshì (third tone, dipping) dì (fourth tone, falling) yī (first tone, high and level) ge (neutral tone) dào (fourth tone, falling) jiàoshì. (fourth tone, falling)···

    He’s always the first to arrive in the classroom.

  • 你为什么总是迟到？你為什麼總是遲到？Nǐ (third tone, dipping) wèishénme (fourth tone, falling) zǒngshì (third tone, dipping) chídào? (second tone, rising)···

    Why are you always late?

Common mistakes

  • Not quite我总是在等你，你还没来。

    Correct我一直在等你，你还没来。

    总是 covers repeated occasions; 一直 covers one unbroken stretch of time. Waiting right now, without stopping, is 一直.

Similar words

Words containing 是