从從 cóng — from (a starting point in space or time)
cóng (second tone, rising)cong2
Traditional: 從
from (a starting point in space or time)
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 2· Three-band, nine-level standardpreposition
Meanings
from (a starting point in space or time)
Marks where movement or a period starts. The 从… phrase stands before the verb, and it very often pairs with 到: 从八点到十点, 从家到公司.
preposition
Example sentences
- 我从中国来。我從中國來。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) cóng (second tone, rising) Zhōngguó (first tone, high and level) lái. (second tone, rising)···
I come from China.
- 我们从八点开始上课。我們從八點開始上課。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) cóng (second tone, rising) bā (first tone, high and level) diǎn (third tone, dipping) kāishǐ (first tone, high and level) shàng (fourth tone, falling) kè. (fourth tone, falling)···
Our classes start at eight.
Common mistakes
Not quite我家从学校很近。
Correct我家离学校很近。
从 marks where something starts moving; it cannot state a distance. The gap between two fixed points takes 离: 我家离学校很近.