Chinese Grammar learning 语法: 老是/老 + Verb

We have a few ways to say "always" in Chinese, and one of them is to use the word 老是 (lǎoshi).

Structure with a verb

老是 is an adverb, usually translated into English as "always". It expresses that an action or a condition constantly repeats or continues. It also has an unsatisfied or frustrated tone. It can be interchanged with the word 总是.
老是 + Verb

You can use "老" instead of "老是"：
老 + Verb

Examples

Bú yào lǎo shì xiào huɑ bié rén.
不要 老是 笑话 别人。

Don't laugh at other people all the time.

Tā lǎoshì xǐhuɑn shuō zānɡ huà.
他 老是 喜欢 说 脏 话。

He always likes saying dirty words.

Nǐ lǎoshì jiābān.
你 老是 加班。

You always work overtime.

Structure with Adjective

When it is used together with an adjective, it usually has an adverb before it, such as "很, 非常, 这么, 那么" etc.

老是 + (Adverb +) Adjective

Examples

Nǐ zěnme lǎoshì zhème ɡāoxìnɡ?
你 怎么 老是 这么 高兴？

How are you always so happy?

Tā de liǎn lǎoshì hěn hónɡ, hěn kěài.
他 的 脸 老是 很 红，很 可爱。

His face is always red and cute.