How common it is
从 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say cóng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“从”这个字常用来表示来源或开始。例如，我们可以说某物是从哪里来的，或者某个事件是如何开始的。
cóng zhège zì cháng lái bǎo shí lái běn lǐ, rú kě wǒ men kě yuē mǒu wù shì cóng nǎlǐ lái de, huò bìng gè dǎì piàn shì jǐrú kāi shǐ de。
The character “从” is often used to indicate origin or beginning. For example, we can say that something comes from somewhere, or an event starts in a certain way.
Context note
“从”常用于描述来源或起点，比如我们可以说某物是从商店买的，或者某个活动是从早上开始的。
cóng cháng yòng yú miáo huì lái yuán huò qǐ diǎn, bǐ rú wǒ men kě yuē mǒu wù shì cóng shāng diàn mǎi de, huò bìng gè huó dòng shì cóng zǎo shàng kāi shǐ de。
"从" is commonly used to describe origin or starting point, for example, we can say that something was bought from a store, or an event started in the morning.
5 examples
这本书是从图书馆借来的。
zhè běn shū shì cóng tú shū guǎn jiè lái de。
This book was borrowed from the library.
从早上开始，他就一直在工作。
cóng zǎo shàng kāi shǐ， tā jiù yì zhí zài gōng zuò。
He has been working since morning.
这个故事是从一个朋友那里听来的。
zhè ge gù shì shì cóng yí gè péng yǒu nà lǐ tīng lái de。
This story was heard from a friend.
从昨天晚上开始，天气就变冷了。
cóng zuó tiān wǎn shàng kāi shǐ， tiān qì jiù biàn lěng le。
Since last night, the weather has turned cold.
这个项目是从公司内部发起的。
zhè ge xiàng mù shì cóng gōng sī nèi bù fā qǐ de。
This project was initiated from within the company.
5 mini stories
从早上开始，小明就一直在读书。他最喜欢的故事是《白雪公主》。
cóng zǎo shàng kāi shǐ， xiǎo míng jiù yì zhí zài dú shū。 tā zuì xǐ huan de gù shì shì 《 bái xuě gōng zhǔ 》。
Since morning, Xiaoming has been reading books. His favorite story is Snow White.
从商店买来的玩具，小华非常喜欢。他每天都玩。
cóng shāng diàn mǎi lái de wán jù， xiǎo huá fēi cháng xǐ huan。 tā měi tiān dōu wán。
The toy bought from the store is very much liked by Xiaohua. He plays with it every day.
从图书馆借的书，小红已经读了三天。她很喜欢这本书。
cóng tú shū guǎn jiè de shū， xiǎo hóng yǐ jīng dú le sān tiān。 tā hěn xǐ huan zhè běn shū。
The book borrowed from the library, Xiaohong has read for three days. She really likes this book.
从早上开始，妈妈就一直在厨房做饭。爸爸和孩子们都等着吃饭。
cóng zǎo shàng kāi shǐ， mā ma jiù yì zhí zài chú fáng zuò fàn。 bà ba hé hái zi men dōu děng zhe chī fàn。
Since morning, Mom has been cooking in the kitchen. Dad and kids are all waiting to eat.
从昨天晚上开始，小李就开始学习新课程了。他觉得很有挑战性。
cóng zuó tiān wǎn shàng kāi shǐ， xiǎo lǐ jiù kāi shǐ xué xí xīn kè chéng le。 tā jué de hěn yǒu tiǎo zhàn xìng。
Since last night, Xiaoli has started learning a new course. He finds it quite challenging.