老是 lǎoshì always
How to remember 老是: 老 old + 是 is = always.
Characters
How it is used
- Colloquial adverb meaning "always/constantly", placed before the verb, often carrying a mild complaint.
- 他老是迟到 (tā lǎoshì chídào) - he's always late; implies annoyance at a repeated habit.
- Similar to 总是 (zǒngshì, always) but more spoken and more likely to sound like a gripe rather than a neutral observation.
- Not used in formal writing - 总是 or 一直 is the safer choice in a report or essay.
Example sentences
- 他老是把我和我姐姐搞错。 Tā lǎo shì bǎ wǒ hé wǒ jiějiě gǎocuò.He always mistakes me for my sister.
- 她老是弄丢她的手帕。 Tā lǎo shì nòng diū tā de shǒupà.She is always losing her handkerchief.
- 汤姆老是发牢骚。 Tāngmǔ lǎoshì fāláosāo.Tom complains all the time.