从

從

cóng

HSK 2.0Level 2

HSK 3.0Level 2

Definitions

cóng (preposition) from; through; via

cóng (verb) to follow; to obey

cóng (verb) to engage in (an activity)

cóng (noun) subordinate; assistant

Etymology

Pictograph of one person following another.

About

The simplified character 从 is formed by placing two 人 (person) characters one behind the other, directly depicting one person following another and meaning to follow, obey, or move along with. The traditional form 從 adds foot and movement components but conveys the same core idea. In modern Chinese, 从 also functions as the preposition "from", marking a starting point in time, place, or origin.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我从中国来。

Wǒ cóng Zhōngguó lái.

I come from China.

我的朋友从北京回来了。

Wǒ de péngyou cóng Běijīng huílái le.

My friend has returned from Beijing.

请从这儿走到那里。

Qǐng cóng zhèr zǒu dào nàli.

Please walk from here to there.

她从去年开始学习中文。

Tā cóng qùnián kāishǐ xuéxí Zhōngwén.

She started learning Chinese from last year.

从学校到我家需要十分钟。

Cóng xuéxiào dào wǒ jiā xūyào shí fēnzhōng.

It takes ten minutes from school to my house.

从明天起，我要每天锻炼。

Cóng míngtiān qǐ, wǒ yào měitiān duànliàn.

Starting from tomorrow, I will exercise every day.

这个故事是从一本古书中发现的。

Zhège gùshi shì cóng yī běn gǔshū zhōng fāxiàn de.

This story was discovered from an ancient book.

他的很多灵感都从生活中来。

Tā de hěnduō línggǎn dōu cóng shēnghuó zhōng lái.

Many of his inspirations are derived from life.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 人

Example Words