---
title: "Xianglai Meaning: 向来 (xiànglái) Means “always”"
description: "向来 (traditional 向來, xiànglái) means “always (up to now); all along”. Hear its tones, see what 向 and 来 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xianglai"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

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

# What does 向来 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

向来 xiànglái

## always (up to now); all along

## Its characters

1. 向 xiàng always
2. 来 lái to come

## In a sentence

他向来很守时，从不迟到。 He has always been punctual and is never late.

[More about 向来](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%90%91%E6%9D%A5)

## More words with 向 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)
- [从来 cónglái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/conglai)
- [到来 dàolái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/daolai)
- [导向 dǎoxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/daoxiang)
- [定向 dìngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dingxiang)
- [方向 fāngxiàng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fangxiang)
- [归来 guīlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/guilai)
- [过来 guòlái](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/guolai)

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