从

• Pinyin: cóng
• Hanzi breakdown: 从 = two 人 (person) together — one following from behind

Meaning

From. A preposition indicating a starting point in space, time, or sequence.

One of the most important prepositions in Chinese. Indicates the origin or starting point: 从北京来 (come from Beijing), 从早到晚 (from morning to night). Often paired with 到 (to) to form the pattern 从...到... (from...to...). Also means 'since' in time expressions.

Examples

1. 我从北京来。 I come from Beijing.
2. 从这里到学校很近。 It's close from here to the school.
3. 他从早上就开始学习了。 He's been studying since this morning.

Usage Guide

Context: direction, time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你从哪里来？(Where are you from?)
• 从现在开始。(Starting from now.)

Don't Say

• 我来从北京 with 从 after the verb (从 must come before the verb: 我从北京来)

Origin & History

The character depicts two people (人) walking in the same direction, one following the other. The idea of 'following from' evolved into the preposition meaning 'from'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal