自 vs 自从 (zì vs zìcóng): from vs ever since
自 is a formal preposition meaning 'from', used for places, times, or origins, often in written Chinese. 自从 specifically means 'ever since' and must be followed by a past event to indicate a change from that point onward. 自从 cannot be used for places, while 自 is rarely used in casual speech compared to 从.
Both 自 (zì) and 自从 (zìcóng) mark a starting point, but they differ in register and scope. 自 is a formal preposition equivalent to 'from' and can indicate the beginning of a time period, a location, or an abstract origin; it is prevalent in written language and fixed expressions. 自从 is a conjunction/preposition meaning 'ever since' and must be followed by a specific past event (a verb phrase or clause) to emphasize that after that event a new situation began and often continues. 自从 never indicates spatial origin, and 自 is rarely used in everyday spoken Chinese (where 从 is preferred).
When to use each
Use 自 to indicate the starting point of a time (自2020年以来), place (自北京出发), or abstract source (自内心). It is formal and common in official, academic, or literary contexts. It also appears in fixed phrases like 自始至终 (from beginning to end).
In spoken Chinese, 从 is almost always used instead of 自. 自 can also be combined with 以 to form compounds like 自以, 自此.
Use 自从 to specify that a change or new state started from a past event and continues to the present or has ongoing relevance. It is always followed by a verb phrase or clause describing the event (e.g., 自从他来了). Cannot be used for places or simple time points without a verb. Often paired with 以后 or 以来.
自从 implies a causal or sequential link between the event and the subsequent change. Unlike 自, it cannot introduce a bare time noun like '2020年'; a verb is required.
At a glance
| 自 | 自从 | |
|---|---|---|
| Usage with places | Can be used: 自北京 (from Beijing) | Cannot be used: ✗ 自从北京 |
| Usage with time points only (no verb) | Can be used: 自2020年 (from 2020) | Cannot be used: ✗ 自从2020年 |
| Requires a verb/clause after | No (can be followed by noun or time word) | Yes (must be followed by a verb or clause) |
| Register | Formal; common in written/official language | Neutral; used in both spoken and written Chinese |
| Indicates ongoing relevance from past event | Not necessarily; can be a simple 'from' | Yes; always implies a continuation or change |
Examples
- 自自北京到上海坐高铁只要四个小时。Zì Běijīng dào Shànghǎi zuò gāotiě zhǐ yào sì gè xiǎoshí.From Beijing to Shanghai by high-speed rail takes only four hours.自 here indicates spatial origin; cannot replace with 自从.
- 自从自从我换了工作，生活变得有趣多了。Zìcóng wǒ huàn le gōngzuò, shēnghuó biàn dé yǒuqù duō le.Ever since I changed jobs, life has become much more interesting.自从 followed by a verb phrase (换了工作) showing past event.
- 自自2020年以来，经济发生了很大变化。Zì 2020 nián yǐlái, jīngjì fāshēng le hěn dà biànhuà.Since 2020, the economy has undergone big changes.自 with time point + 以来; formal construction.
- 自从自从他戒烟以后，身体好多了。Zìcóng tā jiè yān yǐhòu, shēntǐ hǎo duō le.Ever since he quit smoking, his health has been much better.自从 with event (戒烟) + 以后; cannot use 自 here.
- 自从✗自从北京出发，我还没有休息。✗ Zìcóng Běijīng chūfā, wǒ hái méiyǒu xiūxi.✗ Since departing from Beijing, I haven't rested.Wrong: 自从 cannot indicate spatial origin; use 自 or 从.
Common mistakes
- Using 自从 for a place: ✗ 自从北京 → ✓ 自北京 or 从北京
- Using 自 before a verb clause as 'since': ✗ 自他离开 → ✓ 自从他离开
- Using 自 in casual conversation instead of 从: ✗ 自这里走 → ✓ 从这里走
- Using 自从 with a simple time noun: ✗ 自从2020年 → ✓ 自2020年 or 从2020年开始
FAQ
- When do I use 自 vs 自从?
- Use 自 for 'from' in formal contexts, whether for places, times, or origins. Use 自从 only for 'ever since' a past event (always followed by a verb/clause) and never for places.
- Can 自 be replaced by 从?
- Yes, in most cases 从 is the spoken equivalent of 自, except in fixed expressions like 自始至终 (from beginning to end) or 自……以来.
- Is 自从 only used with time?
- Since 自从 indicates a starting point in time from an event, it is exclusively temporal. It cannot be used for spatial or abstract 'from'.
- Can 自从 be followed by a noun like '早上'?
- No, 自从 requires a verb or clause. You cannot say ✗ 自从早上. Instead use 自/从早上 or 自/从早上开始.