Learn Chinese Grammar: 总是(zǒngshì=always) and 老是(lǎoshì=always)

总是(zǒngshì =always) is used for normal things.

老是(lǎoshì=always) is used for negative or dislike things.

Example:

He always got up at 11AM o'clock.

1. 他(tā=he)总是(zǒngshì =always) 11(shí​yī)点(diǎn=o'clock)起床(qǐchuáng=to get up)。(The speaker thinks that it is a normal thing)

2. 他(tā=he)老是(lǎoshì =always)11(shí​yī)点(diǎn=o'clock)起床(qǐchuáng=to get up)。(The speaker thinks that it is a negative thing)