When using 自从 (zìcóng), it refers to a starting point in time for an action or situation that has continued up to the present or another specified point. It emphasizes the duration or continuity of an event from a particular moment. You often see it paired with words like 以来 (yǐlái), meaning 'since then' or 'up to now'. The structure is typically 自从 [time/event] (以来), followed by the ongoing action or state. This word is great for describing experiences that have a clear beginning and have persisted.
How Formal Is It?
"自古以来，中国就有勤劳的传统。"
"自从毕业，他就一直在那家公司工作。"
"打从我认识他，他就是个工作狂。"
"从我上幼儿园，我就喜欢画画。"
"打上次见面，你就没变。"
Exemples par niveau
自从他搬到上海后，我们联系就少了。
Ever since he moved to Shanghai, we've had less contact.
自从 (zìcóng) + [time/event] + 后 (hòu), indicates the starting point of an ongoing situation. '后' is often optional but common.
自从我学中文以来，我对中国文化产生了浓厚的兴趣。
Ever since I started learning Chinese, I've developed a strong interest in Chinese culture.
自从 (zìcóng) + [time/event] + 以来 (yǐlái), similar to '后', but '以来' emphasizes a period of time continuing up to the present.
自从公司采用新政策，员工的工作效率显著提高。
Ever since the company adopted the new policy, employees' work efficiency has significantly improved.
此句中'自从'引导时间状语，强调因果关系。
自从上次见面，他看起来成熟了很多。
Ever since we last met, he seems to have matured a lot.
“自从...，S + 变化/状态” 结构，表示从某时点开始，主语发生了变化或处于某种状态。
自从疫情爆发，人们的生活方式发生了巨大变化。
Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, people's lifestyles have undergone tremendous changes.
这里的'自从'引出一个时间点，强调自那时起发生的变化。
自从我学会开车，出行就方便多了。
Ever since I learned to drive, traveling has become much more convenient.
此例中'自从'引出一个事件作为起点，强调后续带来的便利。
自从她辞职后，办公室的气氛变得非常紧张。
Ever since she resigned, the atmosphere in the office has become very tense.
“自从...后” 表示一个事件发生后，导致了某种持续的状态。
自从读了这本书，我对历史有了全新的认识。
Ever since reading this book, I've had a brand new understanding of history.
此句强调'自从'引出的行为对后续认知或观念的影响。
Comment l'utiliser
How to use 自从 (zì cóng) correctly
自从 (zì cóng) is a preposition meaning "ever since" or "from." It indicates a starting point in time for an action or situation that continues up to the present or a specified past point. It is often followed by a time phrase or a clause describing an event.
Basic Structure:
自从 + [Time/Event] + Subject + Action/Situation
Examples:
- 自从他来到中国，他就开始学习中文了。
(Ever since he came to China, he started learning Chinese.)
Hint: The learning started when he arrived and continued. - 我自从毕业以后，就再也没见过他了。
(Ever since I graduated, I never saw him again.)
Hint: The not seeing started after graduation and continued. - 自从上次见面，我们已经很久没联系了。
(Ever since we last met, we haven't contacted each other for a long time.)
Hint: The lack of contact started after the last meeting.
Key points:
- 自从 emphasizes the continuous nature of the action or state that follows.
- It is often paired with 就 (jiù) to reinforce the connection between the starting point and the subsequent event, but 就 is not strictly necessary.
- The action or state usually continues up to the present moment or a significant point in the past.
Common Mistakes with 自从 (zì cóng)
1. Using 自从 for a non-continuous event:
自从 is for actions or states that continue from a point in time. Don't use it for single, isolated events that happened in the past.
- Wrong:
自从他昨天去了商店。(This implies he has been going to the store continuously since yesterday, which is unlikely.)
Correction: 他昨天去了商店。 (He went to the store yesterday.)
2. Confusing 自从 with 从 (cóng) for general starting points:
While both can mean "from," 自从 specifically implies a continuous effect from that starting point, whereas 从 can be more general.
- Wrong:
从他来中国，他学习中文。(Less natural if you want to emphasize the continuous aspect.)
Correction: 自从他来到中国，他就开始学习中文了。 (Ever since he came to China, he started learning Chinese.)
Hint: 自从 highlights the ongoing nature of learning Chinese from that point on. - Correct use of 从 (cóng):
从北京到上海坐飞机要两个小时。 (From Beijing to Shanghai, it takes two hours by plane.)
Hint: Here, 从 indicates a spatial starting point, not a continuous temporal action.
3. Forgetting the continuous nature:
The sentence following 自从 should reflect an ongoing or lasting situation.
- Wrong:
自从我吃了饭。(This just states a past event, not a continuous state.)
Correction: 自从我吃了那家餐厅的饭，我就爱上那家餐厅了。 (Ever since I ate at that restaurant, I fell in love with it.)
Hint: The feeling of loving the restaurant is continuous from that first meal.
Teste-toi 18 questions
自从他搬到上海，他就再也没回过老家。
“自从” emphasizes the starting point in time of an action or state that continues up to the present or a specific past point. The correct option captures this continuous effect of not returning.
自从我们上次见面，已经过了五年了。
This sentence uses “自从” to indicate a period of time that has passed since a specific event. The correct option accurately translates this duration.
自从她开始学习中文，她的生活变得更加丰富多彩。
Here, “自从” indicates that the enrichment of her life is a direct and continuous consequence of starting to learn Chinese. The correct option shows this cause-and-effect relationship.
“自从” can only be used with past events, not future ones.
“自从” refers to a starting point from which an action or state has continued or is still continuing, thus it is always tied to past or present events.
The sentence “自从明天，我将开始新的工作。” is grammatically correct.
“自从” cannot be used with future events. For future events, you would typically use phrases like “从明天开始” (starting from tomorrow).
“自从” always implies a continuous state or action following the initial event.
A key characteristic of “自从” is that it marks the beginning of a period during which something has been ongoing or continuous.
This sentence uses '以来' to denote 'since' a certain event (graduating from university), indicating a continuous action thereafter.
Here, '自从...以来' functions together to emphasize 'ever since' a specific point in time, highlighting a change or development.
'自从...后' is used to signify 'ever since' an action or event, leading to a subsequent outcome.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 他____离开家乡后，就再也没有回来过。
The sentence indicates an action that started from a specific point in time and has continued since then. '自从' (zì cóng) means 'ever since' or 'from,' making it the most suitable choice. The sentence translates to: 'Ever since he left his hometown, he has never returned.'
Which word best fits the blank? ____大学毕业，她一直从事教育工作。
The sentence describes a continuous action (working in education) that began after graduating from university. '自从' (zì cóng) is used to specify the starting point of an ongoing situation or action. The sentence translates to: 'Ever since graduating from university, she has been engaged in education work.'
Select the correct word to complete the sentence: ____认识你，我的生活变得更加丰富多彩。
This sentence expresses a change in the speaker's life that began with knowing the other person and has continued. '自从' (zì cóng) is perfectly suited to introduce the starting point of this positive change. The sentence translates to: 'Ever since I met you, my life has become more colorful.'
The sentence '自从下雨，我就没出去过。' (zì cóng xià yǔ, wǒ jiù méi chū qù guò) correctly uses '自从' to mean 'Ever since it rained, I haven't gone out.'
Yes, '自从' is correctly used here to indicate the starting point (the rain) from which the action (not going out) has continued.
In the sentence '自从昨天，他已经完成了所有工作。' (zì cóng zuó tiān, tā yǐ jīng wán chéng le suǒ yǒu gōng zuò), '自从' is used correctly.
While '自从' indicates a starting point, it usually implies a continuous state or repeated action since then. For a completed action that happened sometime after a specific point, '从...开始' (cóng...kāi shǐ, starting from...) or simply '从昨天' (cóng zuó tiān, from yesterday) would be more natural. '自从' emphasizes the ongoing nature from that point.
You can use '自从' interchangeably with '从' (cóng) in all contexts.
While both '自从' and '从' can mean 'from' or 'since,' '自从' specifically emphasizes 'ever since' a particular point in time, implying continuity. '从' is more general and can also indicate spatial starting points or simply 'from' a certain time without the strong emphasis on ongoing continuity.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
自从他离开后，我再也没见过他。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur time
很久
A1A long time (ago); for a long time.
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1Schedule; timetable.
约定
A1To agree on a time; to make an appointment.
超前
B1Ahead of time; advanced.
提前
A1In advance; ahead of schedule.
随着
B1Along with; as (time passes).
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1Anniversary.
