Meanings of 从
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 从
Podcast: 从
Podcast: 从
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 从
Imagine a line of people following a leader (the character 从 looks like a person with a hat and a person behind them). The leader is taking everyone 'from' one place to another. This visual can help you remember that 从 means 'to follow' and 'from'.
Be cautious not to confuse 从 with other prepositions like 在 (zài) or 到 (dào), which have different usages. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts but tends to appear more frequently in written Chinese. Common collocations include 从...到... (from...to...) and 从来 (never, when used in a negative context).
As an HSK Level 2 word, 从 connects to vocabulary related to directions and relationships, such as 去 (qù - to go) and 家 (jiā - home). Students should focus on using 从 in sentences to describe movement or origins, as this will help reinforce its meaning in context.
In Chinese culture, the concept of family and lineage is important, and the term 从 can relate to familial relationships like second cousins, which reflects the interconnectedness among relatives in Chinese society. Understanding these relationships can enhance one's grasp of social dynamics in China.
Learners often confuse 从 with 由 (yóu), which also means 'from' but in more formal contexts. For example, saying '从他给我' instead of '由他给我' is incorrect when using a formal structure.
Pronunciation of 从
Drill the tone of 从 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 从
Pictograph of one person following another.
One person 人 following another
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 从?
Decomposition of 从
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 从?
Write 从
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 从 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 从
从 functions as a preposition (often called a "coverb" in Chinese). It introduces a phrase that comes BEFORE the main verb (我在家吃饭, 给妈妈打电话), unlike English which puts prepositions after the verb. It carries 29 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
你____这儿走五分钟就到书店了。
Walk five minutes from here and you will reach the bookstore.
Example Sentences for 从 (10)
Cultural Notes for 从
In Chinese culture, the concept of family and lineage is important, and the term 从 can relate to familial relationships like second cousins, which reflects the interconnectedness among relatives in Chinese society. Understanding these relationships can enhance one's grasp of social dynamics in China.
Word Family of 从
Compound Meaning
What does 巫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 从
You can use 从 to indicate the starting point of an action, such as '从家里出发' (cóng jiālǐ chūfā - to depart from home).