When do I use 从 vs 自从?

Use 从 for general 'from' in time or space, especially when you want to express a range from A to B (often with 到). Use 自从 when you want to say 'ever since' a specific past point and emphasize that the result continues to the present, often with 就 or 都.

Can 自从 be used for spatial 'from'?

No, 自从 is only used for time, specifically for a past point with ongoing relevance. For spatial origin, always use 从 (e.g., 从北京来).

Is 从 always paired with 到?

No, 从 can stand alone when the endpoint is clear from context, or it can be used with 起/开始 to emphasize the start. However, if you need to specify both start and end, you must use 从…到.

What does 自从 imply about the present?

自从 implies that the situation or state that began at the specified past point still exists or is relevant at the present moment. It often appears with 就 or 已经 to signal that continuity.

Easily confusedHSK 4

从 vs 自从 (cóng vs zìcóng): from vs ever since

Both 从 (cóng) and 自从 (zìcóng) indicate a starting point in time, but they differ in scope and usage. 从 is a general preposition meaning 'from' that can refer to time or space and often pairs with 到 to specify an endpoint. 自从 specifically means 'ever since' a completed past event, implying the action or state continues to the present and cannot be used with an endpoint like 到.

从 (cóng) is a versatile preposition that means 'from' and can introduce a starting point in time, place, or condition. It often appears in the structure 从…到 (from…to) to define a time span, and it can also be used alone or with 起/开始 to emphasize the beginning. 自从 (zìcóng), on the other hand, is a specialized temporal conjunction that means 'ever since' and exclusively marks a past event whose effects or resulting state extend to the present. It is typically followed by 就/都/已经 to signal continuity and cannot take an endpoint like 到. Understanding this distinction helps choose the right term based on whether a time range or ongoing continuity is intended.

When to use each

从cóng

from (time)

Use 从 to indicate the starting point of a time span, often in the structure 从…到 (from…to). It can also mark spatial origins (从…来) or be combined with 起/开始 to emphasize the start. When the endpoint is clear from context, 从 can be used alone.

从 is also used for spatial 'from', which is not possible with 自从.

自从zì cóng

ever since

Use 自从 to emphasize that a situation has been ongoing from a specific past point until the present. It often pairs with 就/都/已经 to indicate continuation and is not followed by an endpoint phrase like 到. 自从 is especially common with verbs that describe a change or the start of a state.

自从 is more formal and literary than 从 in temporal use, and it implies a stronger connection to the present.

At a glance

	从	自从
Usage scope	General 'from' (time & space)	Only temporal 'ever since'
Endpoint marker	Can pair with 到 for a range	Cannot use 到; implies continuation to present
Common patterns	从…到, 从…起, 从…开始	自从…就/已经
Verb type after	Any verb	Often with verbs that describe a change or start of state

Examples

从
我从八点工作到五点。
Wǒ cóng bā diǎn gōng zuò dào wǔ diǎn.
I work from eight to five.
从 paired with 到 to show a time range.
自从
自从去年毕业，我就一直在这家公司工作。
Zì cóng qù nián bì yè, wǒ jiù yì zhí zài zhè jiā gōng sī gōng zuò.
Ever since graduating last year, I have been working at this company.
自从 marks a starting point with continuity; 就 emphasizes the ongoing state.
从
他从上海来。
Tā cóng shàng hǎi lái.
He comes from Shanghai.
Spatial use of 从, not possible with 自从.
自从
自从买了车，他出门方便多了。
Zì cóng mǎi le chē, tā chū mén fāng biàn duō le.
Ever since buying a car, going out has become much more convenient for him.
自从 introduces a past event whose effect continues into the present.

Common mistakes

Using 自从 with 到 to mark an endpoint: e.g., *自从去年到今年* – wrong; use 从…到 instead.
Using 从 instead of 自从 when the focus is on continuity from a past event to now: e.g., *从去年离开，我就没见他* – should be 自从.
Forgetting to include an endpoint marker with 从 when specifying a duration: e.g., *从八点工作* – need 到五点 or similar.
Using 自从 for spatial 'from': e.g., *自从北京来* – wrong; use 从.

FAQ

When do I use 从 vs 自从?: Use 从 for general 'from' in time or space, especially when you want to express a range from A to B (often with 到). Use 自从 when you want to say 'ever since' a specific past point and emphasize that the result continues to the present, often with 就 or 都.
Can 自从 be used for spatial 'from'?: No, 自从 is only used for time, specifically for a past point with ongoing relevance. For spatial origin, always use 从 (e.g., 从北京来).
Is 从 always paired with 到?: No, 从 can stand alone when the endpoint is clear from context, or it can be used with 起/开始 to emphasize the start. However, if you need to specify both start and end, you must use 从…到.
What does 自从 imply about the present?: 自从 implies that the situation or state that began at the specified past point still exists or is relevant at the present moment. It often appears with 就 or 已经 to signal that continuity.