從來

Never (Up to Now)

Level 3Sounds Like cung4 loi4

從來 (cung4 loi4) literally means 'from the beginning until now.' When paired with 都 (dou1), it describes a consistent record. Depending on whether you follow it with a negative or affirmative word, it translates to 'never' or 'always'.

How It Works

從來 (cung4 loi4) is an adverb used to describe a consistent record over time. While a simple statement describes a fact, 從來 adds the weight of 'all along' or 'ever.' Note that in casual speech, 從來 is frequently pronounced as 從嚟 (cung4 lai4 or cung4 lei4).

1. The Role of 都 (dou1)
In Cantonese, 從來 is frequently followed by 都 (dou1), which acts as an intensifier meaning 'all' or 'even.' Omitting 都 is perfectly natural and ubiquitous in everyday colloquial Cantonese for negative sentences (e.g., 我從來唔飲酒 ngo5 cung4 loi4 m4 jam2 zau2). However, in affirmative sentences, 都 is normally used, though it can occasionally be dropped before the copula 係 (hai6) to state a hard truth.

2. Expressing 'Never'
To say 'never,' follow the pattern with a negator:

  • 從來(都)冇 (cung4 loi4 dou1 mou5) / 從來(都)未 (cung4 loi4 dou1 mei6) + Verb + 過 (gwo3): Both are standard experiential negators used to express a lack of life experience (e.g., 'I have never been to...'). Native speakers use both 從來未 and 從來冇 extensively and interchangeably to mean 'never in my life'. While similar, they have a subtle nuance: 未 implies 'never yet' (leaving the possibility open for the future), while 冇 states a historical fact (a flat denial of the past). The particle 過 (gwo3) is standard and highly expected for experiential actions, though it can sometimes be omitted with achievements, psychological states, or abstract actions (e.g., 我從來冇放棄 ngo5 cung4 loi4 mou5 fong3 hei3). In formal or written contexts, 從來未 is often contracted to 從未 (cung4 mei6).
  • 從來(都)唔 (cung4 loi4 dou1 m4): Used for habits, principles, or permanent characteristics (e.g., 'He never eats meat'). In formal or written contexts, this is often contracted to 從不 (cung4 bat1).
  • 從來(都)唔會 (cung4 loi4 dou1 m4 wui5): Used to express 'never will' or 'never would' (e.g., 'I would never do that'). It is also frequently used as a stronger, more emphatic version of 從來唔 to describe reliable habits or character traits (e.g., 佢從來都唔會遲到 keoi5 cung4 loi4 dou1 m4 wui5 ci4 dou3 'He is never late').

3. Expressing 'Always'
Unlike English 'never,' 從來 can also be used in affirmative sentences to mean 'always' or 'has always been.' Simply follow 從來都 with a verb or adjective (e.g., 我從來都係噉 ngo5 cung4 loi4 dou1 hai6 gam2 'I have always been like this'). Remember that 都 (dou1) is normally paired with 從來 in affirmative sentences (unless followed by 係). However, note that in colloquial Cantonese, the words 不嬲 (bat1 lau1) and 一向 (jat1 hoeng3) are significantly more common for expressing 'always' in this way, with 一向 bridging colloquial and formal speech.

4. Word Order
Like most Cantonese adverbs, 從來 must appear before the verb. You cannot place it at the end of the sentence like the English word 'never' in some contexts.

Examples (6)

  1. 我從來都冇去過日本。

    I have never been to Japan.

    Word by Word: I from-come all not-have go [aspect] Japan.

    This uses the experiential marker 過 (gwo3) to show that in the speaker's entire life, they have not visited Japan once.

  2. 佢個人從來都唔講大話。

    He never tells lies.

    Word by Word: He [classifier] person from-come all not speak big-speech.

    Here, 唔 (m4) is used because telling lies is a habit or character trait, not a one-time experience.

  3. 我從來都未見過佢。

    I have never seen him before.

    Word by Word: I from-come all not-yet see [aspect] him.

    Using 未 (mei6) with 過 (gwo3) is a very common way to say 'never yet' or 'never before' up to this point in time.

  4. 我從來都係咁諗。

    I have always thought this way.

    Word by Word: I from-come all is so think.

    When followed by an affirmative verb like 係 (hai6), the pattern means 'always' or 'all along'.

  5. 佢從來都咁勤力。

    He has always been this hardworking.

    Word by Word: He from-come all so hardworking.

    This shows that a state (being hardworking) has been consistent from the beginning until now.

  6. 我從來都鍾意你。

    I have always liked you.

    Word by Word: I from-come all like you.

    This uses an affirmative verb to express a feeling that has remained constant over time.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the negator.

    我從來食煙。
    我從來都唔食煙。

    從來 (cung4 loi4) does not mean 'never' by itself; it means 'all along.' You must add a negator like 唔 (m4) to complete the meaning of 'never.'

  • Placing the adverb after the verb.

    我見過佢從來都冇。
    我從來都冇見過佢。

    In Cantonese, time-related adverbs like 從來 must come before the verb phrase, following the Subject-Adverb-Verb order.

  • Leaving out the experiential marker 過 (gwo3).

    Different Meaning我從來都冇去日本。
    我從來都冇去過日本。

    我從來都冇去日本 is also heard and understood. Adding 過 (gwo3) is the standard way to say 'have never been' (life experience), and it can be dropped with some verbs.

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從來Level 3Never (Up to Now)

Learn This First

To use '從來' (never) correctly, you need to understand how to negate verbs in Cantonese, particularly using the experiential aspect '過' to talk about past experiences. Additionally, '從來' is typically paired with the adverb '都' (all/also) to create the full 'never' meaning.

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从来