Correct
历来 vs 从来 vs 向来
/ lìlái vs cónglái vs xiànglái /
Strokes
Definition
历来, 从来, and 向来 are all Adverbs, and 历来 is also a Noun, which all means [always; all along].
Example
历来, 从来, and 向来 all mean"all along".
1) 历来 is usually used in literary language and affirmative sentences (as in examples ① ② ③ and ④) and sounds very formal.
2) 从来 and 向来 are more colloquial (as in examples ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ and ⑧)；
3) 从来 is often used in negative sentences as in examples ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬, while 向来 is often used in both affirmative and negative sentences (as in examples ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ and ⑩);
4) In examples ③ and ④, 历来 is mostly used, but sometimes 从来 can also be used, which sounds more emphatic.
2) 从来 and 向来 are more colloquial (as in examples ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ and ⑧)；
3) 从来 is often used in negative sentences as in examples ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬, while 向来 is often used in both affirmative and negative sentences (as in examples ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ and ⑩);
4) In examples ③ and ④, 历来 is mostly used, but sometimes 从来 can also be used, which sounds more emphatic.
1
Zhōngguó
中国
zhèngfǔ
政府
lìlái
历来
zhǔzhāng
主张
,
guójiā
国家
bù
不
fēn
分
dàxiǎo
大小
,
yīlǜ
一律
píngděng
平等
。
The unchanging advocacy of Chinese government is that every country,big or small alike,is equal.
2
Zhōnghuámínzú
中华民族
lìlái
历来
yǒu
有
qínjiǎnjiéyuē
勤俭节约
de
的
hǎo
好
chuántǒng
传统
。
The Chinese nation has cherished the fine tradition of thrifty through the ages.
3
Jǐngdézhèn
景德镇
de
的
cíqì
瓷器
lìlái
历来
(
cónglái
从来
)
xiǎngyǒu
享有
guójì
国际
shēngyù
声誉
。
The Jingdezhen china is world-famous for a very long time.
4
Sìchuān
四川
péndì
盆地
de
的
wùchǎn
物产
lìlái
历来
(
cónglái
从来
)
shí
十
fēn
分
fēngfù
丰富
。
The Sichuan Basin is rich in its produces through the ages.
从来 can be replaced by 向来.
5
Tājiā
她家
cónglái
从来
(
xiànglái
向来
)
dōu
都
hěn
很
gānjìng
干净
。
Her house is always kept clean and tidy.
6
Wǒ
我
cónglái
从来
(
xiànglái
向来
)
bù
不
chī
吃
là
辣
de
的
。
I never taste spicy food.
7
Tā
他
cónglái
从来
(
xiànglái
向来
)
méiyǒu
没有
zǎoshuì
早睡
zǎoqǐ
早起
de
的
xíguàn
习惯
。
He never gets up and goes to bed early.
8
Xiǎowáng
小王
shàngkè
上课
cónglái
从来
(
xiànglái
向来
)
bù
不
chídào
迟到
。
Xiao Wang has never been late for his class.
向来 can qualify disyllabic verbs and adjectives, but 从来 cannot.
9
Xiǎowáng
小王
duì
对
gōngzuò
工作
xiànglái
向来
rènzhēn
认真
。
Xiao Wang is always conscientious about his work.
10
Shàngjí
上级
de
的
juédìng
决定
,
tā
他
xiànglái
向来
fúcóng
服从
。
He always obey the superior's orders.
从来 and 历来 can collocate with 过, but 向来 usually cannot.
11
Tā
他
shì
是
nǐ
你
de
的
shénme
什么
rén
人
?
Wǒ
我
cónglái
从来
méi
没
jiàn
见
guò
过
。
Who is he? I have never met him.
12
Tā
他
cónglái
从来
méiyǒu
没有
xiàng
像
jīntiān
今天
zhèyàng
这样
rènzhēn
认真
guò
过
。
He has never been so serious as today.
13
Gōngsī
公司
de
的
jīngjì
经济
zhuàngkuàng
状况
cónglái
从来
(
lìlái
历来
)
méiyǒu
没有
zhème
这么
hǎo
好
guò
过
。
The company has never been in such a good economical condition.
历来 is also a noun and can function as an attributive.
14
Zhè
这
shì
是
tā
他
lìlái
历来
de
的
xíguàn
习惯
。
This is his usual habit.
15
Yīshēn
一身
bùyīkù
布衣裤
,
zhè
这
shì
是
tā
他
lìlái
历来
de
的
zhuāngshù
装束
。
He was often dressed in cotton clothes.