历来

• Pinyin: lì lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 历 = 厂 + 力 (successive/past); 来 = 木 (to come/hitherto)

Meaning

Throughout history; from time immemorial; always; invariably. States that something has been consistently true across all past time.

An adverb indicating that a practice, belief, or condition has held continuously through all recorded past time. Stronger in historical sweep than 一向 or 向来. Common in formal writing, policy documents, and scholarly argument.

Examples

1. 诚信历来是中华文化推崇的核心道德准则之一。 Integrity has long been one of the core moral principles valued in Chinese culture.
2. 两国历来保持着友好的外交关系，双边合作不断深化。 The two countries have long maintained friendly diplomatic relations, with bilateral cooperation continuing to deepen.
3. 该学者历来主张以实证研究为基础，反对不加检验地引用理论框架。 That scholar has consistently advocated evidence-based research and opposed citing theoretical frameworks without testing them.

Usage Guide

Context: history, policy, cultural tradition, academic argument

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 历来如此的做法不一定是正确的做法，我们需要以批判性思维重新审视传统惯例。(A practice that has always been done this way is not necessarily the right way; we need to re-examine traditional conventions with critical thinking.)
• 该机构历来以严谨的学术态度著称，从不发表未经同行评审的研究成果。(This institution has always been known for its rigorous academic standards and never publishes research that has not undergone peer review.)

Don't Say

• 将'历来'用于描述近期形成的习惯 — 历来强调贯穿漫长历史的一贯性，近期趋势应改用'一直'或'近来都'

Origin & History

历 (passing through all past time) + 来 (up to the present/hitherto)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal