In context
Example sentences
他总是第一个到。
Tā zǒngshì dì yī gè dào.
He is always the first to arrive.
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Related words
HSK levels
总是: HSK 3 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
总是 (zǒng shì) means "always" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.
总是 is pronounced "zǒng shì" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.
总是 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 3 on both the old and the new exam.
总是 is made up of the characters 总, 是. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.
You can practice writing 总是 using our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.