从 vs 离 (cóng vs lí): from (starting point) vs from (distance)
The Chinese prepositions 从 (cóng) and 离 (lí) both translate to “from” in English, but they serve distinct functions. 从 marks the starting point of a movement, action, or time period, while 离 expresses the distance or separation between two points in space or time. Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning from “starting from” to “distant from”.
从 (cóng) indicates the origin or starting point of a movement, action, or time span. It always requires a destination, direction, or follow-up action. 离 (lí) indicates the spatial or temporal distance between two entities; it is often used with a measure of distance (e.g., 很远, 两公里) or with time intervals (e.g., 离…还有…). While both can be translated as “from,” 从 focuses on the source, and 离 focuses on the gap.
When to use each
Use 从 to mark the starting point of a physical movement, an action, or a time range. It is commonly paired with directional verbs like 来, 去, 出发, and with time expressions like 从…开始. In sentences describing a path, 从 introduces the origin before the endpoint.
从 can also be used figuratively, e.g., 从今天起 (starting from today), but it cannot be used to express distance or separation.
Use 离 to indicate the distance in space or time that separates two points. It is often followed by a distance phrase (e.g., 离学校很远, 离过年还有三天). 离 can also convey “away from” in the sense of proximity, but does not imply motion or origin.
When used with time, 离 typically appears in the pattern 离 + event + 还有 + time, meaning “there is still (time) until (event).” Do not use 离 to mean “starting from” in a timeline.
At a glance
| 从 | 离 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Marks the starting point (origin) | Marks the gap/separation (distance) |
| Typical structure | 从 + [origin] + [direction/verb] | 离 + [reference point] + [distance phrase] |
| Spatial use example | 从北京到上海 (from Beijing to Shanghai) | 北京离上海很远 (Beijing is far from Shanghai) |
| Temporal use example | 从早上八点开始 (starting from 8 AM) | 离春节还有五天 (five days until Spring Festival) |
| Negation | Not commonly negated; use 没(有) for past actions (e.g., 没从家出发) | Can be negated with 不 (e.g., 不远, 不近) but rare with 离; distance is usually stated positively |
Examples
- 从我从北京来。Wǒ cóng Běijīng lái.I come from Beijing.从 marks the starting point of the movement 'come'.
- 离学校离我家很近。Xuéxiào lí wǒ jiā hěn jìn.The school is very close to my home.离 expresses the (short) distance between school and home.
- 从我们从星期一开始上课。Wǒmen cóng xīngqīyī kāishǐ shàngkè.We start class from Monday.从 marks the start of a time period.
- 离离考试还有三天。Lí kǎoshì hái yǒu sān tiān.There are still three days until the exam.离 indicates the time gap between now and the exam.
- 从他从上海坐飞机去日本。Tā cóng Shànghǎi zuò fēijī qù Rìběn.He flew from Shanghai to Japan.从 introduces the origin of the trip, used with a verb of motion.
- 离这里离火车站两公里。Zhèlǐ lí huǒchēzhàn liǎng gōnglǐ.It is two kilometers from here to the train station.离 is followed directly by a distance measure.
Common mistakes
- Using 离 to mean 'from' in 'I come from China': ✗我离中国来 — should be 我从中国来.
- Using 从 to mean 'distance from': ✗从学校到我家很近 — should be 学校离我家很近 when stating distance.
- Confusing the time expressions 'from…until' (从…到) vs 'distance until' (离…还有).
- Omitting a direction or destination after 从: ✗我从上海 (incomplete) — 从 needs a verb or endpoint.
- Using 离 with movement verbs like 来/去: ✗他离上海来 — should be 他从上海来.
FAQ
- When do I use 从 vs 离?
- Use 从 to mark the starting point of a movement, action, or time span. Use 离 to indicate the distance separating two points in space or time.
- Can 从 and 离 be used in the same sentence?
- Yes, you can combine them in a sentence like 从北京到上海的距离很远 (the distance from Beijing to Shanghai is far). Here 从 marks the origin, and 到 (not 离) marks the endpoint; 离 is used separately in statements like 上海离北京很远.
- Is 离 ever used as a verb?
- Yes, 离 can also be a verb meaning 'to leave' (e.g., 离开 'to depart'). However, as a coverb in the sense of 'from (distance)', it functions as a preposition.
- How do I express 'from X to Y' with distance?
- Use 从X到Y for motion of a path, and use X离Y + distance for stating how far apart they are. For example: 从北京到上海有两千公里 (from Beijing to Shanghai it is 2,000 km) or 北京离上海有两千公里 (Beijing is 2,000 km from Shanghai).