<p>总是 means "every time."</p>

<p>一直 means "continuously."</p>

<p>The first is "discrete." The second is "continuous." But they both mean "always."</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-02-06T15:24:41.923Z
2012-02-06T15:24:41.923Z
Tom Au
<p>They are synonyms.</p>

<p>总是 places an emphasis on frequency.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>他上课总是迟到 = He kept being late for class all the time.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>一直 places an emphasis on consistency.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>他一直是个好孩子 = He has been a good kid through the years.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-03T23:47:51.863Z
Great, thanks for this. So the 2nd form could perhaps be remembered as being used in more long-term expressions?
jaffa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-03T23:55:23.530Z
@jaffa I think both are being used in equally long-term expressions.
Terry Li
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-04T05:55:08.393Z
@jaffa: I think the point is that 总是 means "frequently" in the sense of many frequent discrete events, whereas 一直 means "continually" in the sense of something happening continuously over a span of time.  As Terry says, they are synonyms, but they transmit different feelings.
Jesse Madnick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-03T23:35:08.540Z
2012-01-03T23:35:08.540Z
Terry Li
<p>I've always (no pun intended) wondered what the difference is between the two words. I thought they both meant always, but I've never quite grasped in what context they should be used.</p>

<p>Could anyone shed any light on this?</p>

<preposition><difference>
What is the difference between 总是 and 一直?
# What is the difference between 总是 and 一直?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-01-03)

I've always (no pun intended) wondered what the difference is between the two words. I thought they both meant always, but I've never quite grasped in what context they should be used.

Could anyone shed any light on this?

**Tags:** preposition, difference


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2012-01-03. Score: 19 | Accepted answer

They are synonyms.

总是 places an emphasis on frequency.

> 他上课总是迟到 = He kept being late for class all the time.

一直 places an emphasis on consistency.

> 他一直是个好孩子 = He has been a good kid through the years.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Great, thanks for this. So the 2nd form could perhaps be remembered as being used in more long-term expressions?  
> **username_2**: @username_0 I think both are being used in equally long-term expressions.  
> **username_3**: @username_0: I think the point is that 总是 means "frequently" in the sense of many frequent discrete events, whereas 一直 means "continually" in the sense of something happening continuously over a span of time.  As username_2 says, they are synonyms, but they transmit different feelings.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2012-02-06. Score: 2

总是 means "every time."

一直 means "continuously."

The first is "discrete." The second is "continuous." But they both mean "always."


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