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自此 (zì cǐ) — from this point onward; henceforth

Definition

Written/formal adverb meaning 'from this point onward; henceforth.' It marks a clear turning point, stronger than 从此 in narrative weight and almost always used in written prose.

adverb
from this point onwardhenceforth

Examples

  • 自此，。
    zì cǐ Yǐ hòu, tā zài yě méi yǒu huí guò jiā xiāng.
    From then on, he never returned to his hometown.
  • 自此。
    Gōng sī zì cǐ kāi shǐ shí xíng xīn de guǎn lǐ zhì dù.
    The company began implementing a new management system from this point onward.
  • 自此，。
    zì cǐ, Liǎng guó guān xì jìn rù le xīn jiē duàn.
    From then on, the relationship between the two countries entered a new phase.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →
Appears in
Time (Abstract)

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