---
title: "Conglai Meaning: 从来 (cónglái) Means “always”"
description: "从来 (traditional 從來, cónglái) means “always; at all times”. Hear its tones, see what 从 and 来 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/conglai"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 从来 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

从来 cónglái

## always; at all times

## It can also mean

- (with a negative) never; ever

## Its characters

1. 从 cóng (used before a negative) ever (as in 从不)
2. 来 lái (after a period of time) over the past

## In a sentence

这是我从来吃过最好吃的蛋糕。 This is the best cake that I have ever eaten.

[More about 从来](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E4%BB%8E%E6%9D%A5)

## More words with 从 or 来

- [本来 běnlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/benlai)
- [长期以来 chángqī-yǐlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/changqiyilai)
- [出来 chūlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chulai)
- [从不 cóngbù](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congbu)
- [从此 cóngcǐ](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congci)
- [从而 cóng’ér](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/conger)
- [从前 cóngqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congqian)
- [从容 cóngróng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congrong)
- [从事 cóngshì](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congshi)
- [从头 cóngtóu](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congtou)

## Keep 从来 for Review

A free account keeps it, and Review brings it back just before you’d forget it.

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[All 214 Chinese radicals](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-radicals)

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