从 vs 自 (cóng vs zì): formal vs informal 'from'
Both 从 and 自 can mean 'from', but 从 is the everyday spoken preposition for starting points in time, space, or order, while 自 is more literary and often attaches to verbs (e.g., 来自, 源自) to indicate origin. Use 从 in normal conversation and writing; reserve 自 for formal or written contexts, especially when combined with specific verbs.
从 and 自 both express 'from', but they differ in register and grammatical behavior. 从 is a versatile, commonly used preposition that marks the starting point of an action, whether spatial, temporal, or abstract. 自 is more restricted: it appears mainly in formal writing or in fixed compounds where it is attached to verbs like 来, 源, or 以. In most everyday situations, 从 is the correct choice; replacing it with 自 would sound stilted or unnatural.
When to use each
Use 从 as the default preposition for indicating a starting point in time, place, sequence, or source in both spoken and written Mandarin. It is flexible and can be used alone before a noun (e.g., 从家, 从昨天) or with other elements like 开始. 从 is also used in compound expressions like 从…到….
从 can also indicate 'through' or 'via' when talking about a route or passage, e.g., 从窗户进来 (come in through the window).
Use 自 in formal or literary contexts, particularly in writing, news, or elegant speech. It is commonly found in fixed verb compounds such as 来自 (come from), 源自 (originate from), 出自 (come out from), and 自我 (self-). As a standalone preposition, 自 is less common but appears in classical or legal phrases (e.g., 自即日起 'from this day onward').
自 can be used before time words in formal announcements, e.g., 自2010年起. In these cases, 从 would also work but sound less formal.
At a glance
| 从 | 自 | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Neutral / spoken and written | Formal / literary |
| Standalone preposition | Yes, very common | Rare; mostly in fixed compounds |
| Used in 从…到… structure | Yes, standard | No (use 从…到… only) |
| Attached to verbs as suffix | No | Yes (e.g., 来自, 源自) |
| Temporal starting point | 从明天开始 | 自明天起 (formal) |
Examples
- 从他从上海来北京。Tā cóng Shànghǎi lái Běijīng.He came to Beijing from Shanghai.Spoken default; 自 would sound too formal here.
- 从从今天开始，我要每天锻炼。Cóng jīntiān kāishǐ, wǒ yào měitiān duànliàn.Starting from today, I will exercise every day.Common temporal use.
- 自这个说法来自古代。Zhège shuōfǎ láizì gǔdài.This saying comes from ancient times.Fixed compound 来自 (cannot replace with 从).
- 自这项传统源自唐代。Zhè xiàng chuántǒng yuánzì Tángdài.This tradition originates from the Tang Dynasty.Fixed compound 源自.
- 自自即日起，食堂营业到晚上七点。Zì jírì qǐ, shítáng yíngyè dào wǎnshàng qī diǎn.From today onward, the cafeteria is open until 7 p.m.Formal announcement; 从即日起 also possible but less formal.
- 从他从银行取钱。Tā cóng yínháng qǔ qián.He withdrew money from the bank.Everyday spoken usage; 自 would be incorrect.
Common mistakes
- Using 自 as a standalone preposition in casual conversation, e.g., 我自家来 (should be 我从家来).
- Using 从 instead of 自 in fixed verb compounds like 来自, 源自, 出自 (e.g., saying 来从 instead of 来自).
- Using 自 in the 从…到… structure (e.g., 自上海到北京 instead of 从上海到北京).
- Overusing 自 in spoken Chinese to sound formal, resulting in unnatural phrasing.
FAQ
- When should I use 从 vs 自 in everyday speech?
- In everyday speech, always use 从. 自 is reserved for formal writing, news, or fixed compounds. For example, say 我从家出发, not 我自家出发.
- Can 自 ever be used as a standalone preposition like 从?
- Yes, but only in very formal or classical contexts, such as legal documents or literary works, e.g., 自今以后 (from now on). In modern spoken Mandarin, it sounds unnatural.
- Are there fixed compounds where only 自 is correct?
- Yes. Common examples include: 来自 (come from), 源自 (originate from), 出自 (come out from, as in a quotation), 自我 (self-). You cannot replace 自 with 从 in these words.
- What about 自从 and 自由? Do they relate?
- 自从 (since) is a compound word with 从, meaning 'since (a point in time)'. 自由 (freedom) uses 自 in the sense of 'self'. These are separate vocabulary items and not directly comparable to the prepositional use.