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向来 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
向来xiàngláialways (previously)HSK 7, v, rank #15122, Hard
xiànglái(xiang4lai2) T4
  1. 1always (previously)
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March 24, 2026
向来(向來)xiànglái(xiang4lai2)

向来 (xiànglái) means 'always' or 'all along' and refers to a consistent state or action that has been true in the past and continues to be so. It is often used to express past habits or tendencies that are still relevant, implying a sense of continuity over time.

Frequency#15122DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding continuity in actions or behaviors is crucial, as it reflects reliability and trustworthiness, values highly regarded in personal and professional relationships.

Memory Tip

Think of 向 (xiàng) as 'to face' and 来 (lái) as 'to come.' Imagine someone 'facing' the past and recalling how things 'came' to be, symbolizing continuity. This visual of looking back helps connect the meaning of 'always' to the characters.

Meanings of 向来

xiànglái(xiang4lai2)
1always (previously)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 向来

向来Simplified
向來Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#15122Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 向来

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Podcast: 向来

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AI Study Notes for 向来

Quick Contrast

历来 (lìlái) - use 向来 for ongoing states or actions, while 历来 emphasizes historical consistency without the implication of current relevance.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 向 (xiàng) as 'to face' and 来 (lái) as 'to come.' Imagine someone 'facing' the past and recalling how things 'came' to be, symbolizing continuity. This visual of looking back helps connect the meaning of 'always' to the characters.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 向来 with 以前 (yǐqián), which means 'before' but lacks the nuance of continuity. It's typically used in informal conversations, but can be used in writing as well. Be cautious with tone pronunciation; 向 (xiàng) is fourth tone and 来 (lái) is second tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 向来 builds on the concept of habitual actions, which is essential for expressing complex ideas in communication. Students should focus on using it in contexts that describe past behaviors or characteristics.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding continuity in actions or behaviors is crucial, as it reflects reliability and trustworthiness, values highly regarded in personal and professional relationships.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 向来 with future tense, such as '我向来会去' (Wǒ xiànglái huì qù), which is incorrect. The correct phrase should indicate past or habitual actions, like '我向来去' (Wǒ xiànglái qù) meaning 'I always go (there).'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 向来

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Component Characters

向xiàngtowards
HSK 36 strokes口
View full entry
来láito come
HSK 17 strokes木
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Write 向来

向
来

Practice writing 向来 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 向来

向来 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他这个人____吃软不吃硬，你不能硬来。

This person has always responded to gentleness, not force — you cannot be heavy-handed with him.

Example Sentences for 向来 (9)

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1
玛丽亚对两个孩子都疼爱有加，向来一视同仁。

mǎ lì yà duì liǎng gè hái zǐ dū téng ài yǒu jiā， ， xiàng lái yī shì tóng。

Maria loved both the children. There was never a hint of favouritism.
2
在花钱的问题上，他们向来很谨慎。

zài huā qián de wèn tí shàng， ， tā mén xiàng lái hěn jǐn。

They don't accept any foolishness when it comes to spending money.
3
我向来觉得永生的想法很可怕。

wǒ xiàng lái jué dé yǒng shēng de xiǎng fǎ hěn kě pà。

I have always found the thought of eternity terrifying.
4
历史和轶闻的分界向来是模糊而混乱的。

lì shǐ hé yì wén de fēn jiè xiàng lái shì mó hū ér hùn luàn de。

The boundaries between history and storytelling are always being blurred and muddled.
5
虽然他爱发脾气，而且有时还很讨厌，但向来都只是一阵儿。

suī rán tā ài fā pí qì， ， ér qiě yǒu shí huán hěn tǎo， yàn ， dàn xiàng lái dū zhī shì yī。

Though he had a temper and could be nasty, it never lasted.
6
秋月向来受到诗人和热爱大自然的人们的宠爱.

qiū yuè xiàng lái shòu dào shī rén hé rè ài dà zì rán de rén mén de chǒng ài.

The autumn moon has always been a favourite with poets and lovers of nature.
7
冬天时,我家乡的气温向来都在零度以下.

dōng tiān shí, , wǒ jiā xiāng de qì wēn xiàng lái dū zài líng dù yǐ.

In my hometown temperatures in winter never rise above zero.
8
在波兰，信仰的含义向来不仅仅指宗教。

zài bō lán， ， xìn yǎng de hán yì xiàng lái bù jǐn jǐn zhǐ zōng。

In Poland, the faith has always meant more than mere religion.
9
那条狗突然向来客扑去,并咬了他一口.

nà tiáo gǒu tū rán xiàng lái kè pū qù, , bìng yǎo le tā yī.

The dog ran at the visitor and bit him.

Cultural Notes for 向来

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, understanding continuity in actions or behaviors is crucial, as it reflects reliability and trustworthiness, values highly regarded in personal and professional relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about 向来

You can say, '他向来很努力' (Tā xiànglái hěn nǔlì), meaning 'He has always been hardworking.'