从
HSK 2- Location
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Preposition 从 is used to indicate the starting point of an action or a point in time, meaning 'from'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
从 (cóng) is a very common preposition used to indicate the starting point of a journey, a period of time, or a process. It answers the questions "From where?" or "From when?".
Think of it simply: 从 marks the point of departure. It often pairs with 到 (dào – to/until) to indicate a complete span of space or time, for example 从...到... (from… to…).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我从家走到学校。繁: 我從家走到學校。Wǒ cóng jiā zǒu dào xuéxiào.
I walked from home to school.
- 他从美国来。繁: 他從美國來。Tā cóng Měiguó lái.
He comes from the United States.
- 我们从早上八点开始上课。繁: 我們從早上八點開始上課。Wǒmen cóng zǎoshang bā diǎn kāishǐ shàngkè.
We start class at 8 o'clock in the morning.
- 请从这边走。繁: 請從這邊走。Qǐng cóng zhèbiān zǒu.
Please come this way.
- 你从哪儿来？繁: 你從哪兒來？Nǐ cóng nǎr lái?
Where are you from?
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我走从学校。Correct:我从学校走。
The prepositional phrase 从 + place must come before the verb, unlike the word order in Vietnamese.
- Wrong:我从家吃饭。Correct:我在家吃饭。
从 indicates a starting point, not where an action takes place. Use 在 to express "at where."