从
Character Story & Explanation
从 is ubiquitous in modern Chinese: it appears in official documents (e.g., 从即日起, 'effective from today'), news headlines (从上海到深圳, 'from Shanghai to Shenzhen'), and daily speech—especially in the fixed phrase 从来 (cónglái, 'never' or 'always', literally 'from beginning'). It's also central to the idiom 从善如流 (cóng shàn rú liú, 'to readily accept good advice'), recorded as early as the *Zuo Zhuan* (4th c. BCE). As a preposition, it consistently marks source, starting point, or basis—never destination.
The character’s earliest verified form appears in bronze inscriptions of the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–771 BCE) as two facing 人 figures, representing 'one person following another'—a clear pictographic origin confirmed by paleographers like Qiu Xigui. This visual logic directly supports its meaning: origin, derivation, or adherence.
Hello, learners! The character 从 (cóng) is a foundational preposition in Chinese—it’s one of the first characters you’ll use to express origin, direction, or method. Think of it as the linguistic bridge that answers 'from where?' or 'through what means?'. It appears constantly: in time expressions (从早上), location (从北京), and even abstract contexts like learning (从老师那里学). Though simple (just four strokes!), its grammatical weight is huge—it often pairs with 到 (dào) to form the 'from...to...' structure, essential for describing movement, change, or range.
Don’t confuse 从 with similar-sounding characters—it’s always pronounced *cóng*, never *cōng* or *zòng*. Its tone is second (rising), so practice saying it like you’re asking a gentle question: 'cóng?'. In writing, remember it’s built from two 人 (rén, 'person') radicals side by side—originally depicting one person following another, which perfectly reflects its core idea of 'following from' or 'starting at'.
At HSK Level 2, 从 is non-negotiable for basic fluency. You’ll need it to give directions ('Turn left from the bank'), describe schedules ('Classes start from 8 a.m.'), or explain sources ('I heard this from my friend'). Mastering 从 unlocks dozens of compound words and idioms—and because it’s so frequent in spoken and written Chinese, using it correctly makes your speech sound natural, not textbook-robotic. Keep a mental note: 从 + noun + (verb), never 从 + verb directly—e.g., 从学校来 (cóng xuéxiào lái, 'come from school'), not *从来学校*.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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