一向 yīxiàng

一向(yīxiàng)means “always, all along (a consistent trait or habit from the past up to now)”. 一向 is an adverb meaning a person's manner or a situation has been consistently a certain way from the past right up to now. Formation: 主语 + 一向 + 形容词/动词(描述从过去到现在一贯如此)

always, all along (a consistent trait or habit from the past up to now)

HSK5

Formation

主语 + 一向 + 形容词/动词(描述从过去到现在一贯如此)

Explanation

一向 is an adverb meaning a person's manner or a situation has been consistently a certain way from the past right up to now. It describes a stable, long-standing trait or habit, not a one-time event. It usually goes before an adjective or verb describing that trait. Compare 从来 (which stresses 'never, not once' and pairs with negation).

Examples

一向 很认真。
tā yíxiàng hěn rènzhēn.
He has always been very conscientious.
我们 一向 不吃早饭。
wǒmen yíxiàng bù chī zǎofàn.
We never eat breakfast, as a rule.

Note

Describes a long-standing trait, not a single past action. ✅ 他一向很认真 ❌ 他一向来了.

FAQ

一向 — what does it mean and how is it used?

always, all along (a consistent trait or habit from the past up to now). 一向 is an adverb meaning a person's manner or a situation has been consistently a certain way from the past right up to now. It describes a stable, long-standing trait or habit, not a one-time event. It usually goes before an adjective or verb describing that trait. Compare 从来 (which stresses 'never, not once' and pairs with negation).

一向 — how do you form it?

主语 + 一向 + 形容词/动词(描述从过去到现在一贯如此)

一向 — any usage notes?

Describes a long-standing trait, not a single past action. ✅ 他一向很认真 ❌ 他一向来了.

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