历来
always; has always been (from long ago up to now)
Structure
历来 ＋ 动词／形容词（是、重视、主张、被视为…）
What it means
“Always; has always been”: covers the whole span from the past up to now, so it suits long-standing facts, habits and positions.
How it is built
历来 + verb／adjective (是, 重视, 主张, 被视为…): 这家老字号历来重视质量 (this old firm has always put quality first). Set phrase: 历来如此.
When to use it
Written and formal; in speech say 一向 or 一直. Unlike 从来, it does not need 不 or 没 after it: 他历来守时.
Watch out
It must reach up to now, so not for a period that is over. ✗ 他小时候历来很胖 ✓ 他小时候一直很胖.
Examples
中国历来是一个统一的多民族国家。
China has always been a unified multi-ethnic country.
这家老字号历来重视质量，口碑一直很好。
This old firm has always put quality first, and its reputation has never slipped.
钟鼓楼一带历来是老北京最热闹的地方之一。
The Drum Tower area has always been one of the liveliest parts of old Beijing.
Learn this in Lesson 117 · HSK 7–9: 中轴线申遗成功 (Culture news: Beijing’s Central Axis joins the World Heritage list)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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