Definitions
(preposition)
from; through; via
(verb)
to follow; to obey
(verb)
to engage in (an activity)
(noun)
subordinate; assistant
Etymology
Pictograph of one person following another.
About
The character '从', simplified from the traditional '從', etymologically stems from the conceptual depiction of one person following another, directly illustrated by its structure of two adjacent '人' components. This foundational notion of following is further elaborated in the traditional form, which incorporates a radical related to movement, thereby emphasizing the action inherent in the idea. Initially conveying the literal act of accompanying or pursuing, the character's semantic range gradually extended to encompass meanings such as compliance, involvement, or adherence, and eventually developed its grammatical role as a preposition denoting origin or passage, as in constructions like '从...到...'. This shift from a concrete verb to a more abstract function reflects the character's adaptive progression while retaining a clear link to its compositional roots.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我从中国来。
我的朋友从北京回来了。
请从这儿走到那里。
她从去年开始学习中文。
从学校到我家需要十分钟。
从明天起，我要每天锻炼。
这个故事是从一本古书中发现的。
他的很多灵感都从生活中来。