Definition
从 (cóng) as a preposition marks a starting point in space or time ('from'), unlike 通过 (tōng guò 'through, via') which emphasizes the path, and 由 (yóu) which indicates the agent or composition. As an adverb before 不/没, it means 'never' (e.g., 从不), similar to 从来 (cóng lái) but used only in negative contexts.
preposition
from (marks a starting point in space, time, or a range)
adverb
never (used before a negative to emphasize that something has never happened)
Easily confused
- 大dàlook-alikebig, large
- 葱cōngsound-alikescallion, green onion
- 丛cóngsound-alike(classifier) for clusters of plants, bushes, grass, or hair
Examples
- 。Tā cóng jiā zǒu dào xuéxiào.He walks from home to school.
- 。Wǒ cóng jīntiān kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén.I start learning Chinese from today.
- 。Wǒ cóng bù chídào.I am never late.
Grammar
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