Navigation
Grammar Levels
HSK 1
27 points
HSK 2
49 points
HSK 3
92 points
HSK 4
99 points
HSK 5
45 points
Resources
Expressing always or frequently with 老 (lǎo)
Frequency & Habit
Structure
老 + Verb
Explanation
老 (lǎo) as an adverb means "always" or "frequently," indicating that something happens repeatedly or continuously. This is distinct from its more common meaning of "old." For example, 老给了魔法 means "always gave magic."
Examples
你怎么老迟到？老板都注意到了。
Nǐ zěnme lǎo chídào? Lǎobǎn dōu zhùyì dào le.
Why are you always late? The boss has noticed.
他老忘记带钥匙，每次都要叫开锁的。
Tā lǎo wàngjì dài yàoshi, měi cì dōu yào jiào kāisuǒ de.
He always forgets to bring his keys and has to call a locksmith every time.
我妈老说我吃得太少，让我多吃点。
Wǒ mā lǎo shuō wǒ chī de tài shǎo, ràng wǒ duō chī diǎn.
My mom always says I eat too little and tells me to eat more.