从…到…
HSK 2- Time
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 从…到… is used to indicate a range in time or space, meaning 'from… to…'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
This is one of the most basic and useful structures, used to express a range from a starting point to an ending point. 从 (cóng) means "from," indicating the point of departure. 到 (dào) means "to," indicating the endpoint. This structure can be applied to both time and space, similar to the use of "from... to..." in English.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 从星期一到星期五我都要上班。繁: 從星期一到星期五我都要上班。Cóng xīngqīyī dào xīngqīwǔ wǒ dōu yào shàngbān.
From Monday to Friday I have to go to work every day.
- 从我家到学校很近。繁: 從我家到學校很近。Cóng wǒ jiā dào xuéxiào hěn jìn.
From my home to school is very close.
- 上课时间是从八点到十点。繁: 上課時間是從八點到十點。Shàngkè shíjiān shì cóng bā diǎn dào shí diǎn.
Class time is from eight o'clock to ten o'clock.
- 从这里到机场要多久？繁: 從這裡到機場要多久？Cóng zhèli dào jīchǎng yào duō jiǔ?
How long does it take from here to the airport?
- 他从北京坐火车到上海。繁: 他從北京坐火車到上海。Tā cóng Běijīng zuò huǒchē dào Shànghǎi.
He took the train from Beijing to Shanghai.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我上班从星期一到星期五。Correct:我从星期一到星期五上班。
The time phrase '从...到...' typically stands before the verb as an adverbial modifier, not after like in Vietnamese.
- Wrong:我家到学校要十分钟。Correct:从我家到学校要十分钟。
When indicating a distance or time period, the complete pair '从...到...' must be used to clearly express the meaning 'from... to...'.