AdverbsHSK 2

Expressing "since childhood" with 从小

从小 is an adverbial phrase placed before the verb to indicate that an action or state has been true since the speaker was a young child.

It emphasizes a long-standing habit, ability, or characteristic that began in early childhood.

Structure

Subject + 从小 + Verb + (Object)

Used to describe a habit, skill, or trait someone has had since childhood.

从小 + Subject + 就 + Verb + (Object)

Adding 就 before the verb emphasizes that the state started very early in life.

我从小就喜欢画画。
Wǒ cóng xiǎo jiù xǐ huan huà huà.
I have liked drawing since I was a child.
她从小在中国长大。
Tā cóng xiǎo zài zhōng guó zhǎng dà.
She grew up in China from childhood.
他从小学习钢琴。
Tā cóng xiǎo xué xí gāng qín.
He has studied piano since he was young.
我妈妈从小就教我做菜。
Wǒ mā ma cóng xiǎo jiù jiào wǒ zuò cài.
My mom taught me to cook from when I was little.
小明胆子很小，因为他从小就不爱说话。
Xiǎo míng dǎn zi hěn xiǎo, yīn wèi tā cóng xiǎo jiù bú ài shuō huà.
Xiaoming is very shy because he has been quiet since childhood.