从来 cónglái have always (from the beginning)
have always (from the beginning); never (with negative)
How to remember 从来: 从 from + 来 come = have always (from the beginning).
Characters
How it is used
- 'Always / never' (from the past up to now) - almost always with a negative: 从来没去过 (cónglái méi qùguò) have never been there, 从来不喝酒 (cónglái bù hējiǔ) never drinks.
- Note 从来不 = never as a habit; 从来没 (+过) = have never (once) done. Choosing 不 vs 没 changes it from habitual to experiential.
- Positive use is rare and emphatic; the default is the negative pattern.
Example sentences
- 你从来没有快乐过。 Nǐ cónglái méiyǒu kuàilè guò.You've never been happy.
- 我周日从来都不在家。 Wǒ zhōurì cónglái dōu bú zàijiā.I am never at home on Sundays.
- 他很诚实，从来不说谎。 Tā hěn chéngshí, cónglái bù shuōhuǎng.He's very honest, and never lies.