Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
從cóng(cong2)
從 (cóng) primarily means 'from' or 'by', indicating the origin of something or the means by which something is done. It can also convey a sense of following or accompanying, commonly used in phrases that describe relationships or directions.
Strokes11Radical彳Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of origin is significant, especially in discussions about family lineage and traditions. The use of 從 in phrases reflects a deep respect for one's roots and heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person following a path 'from' one place to another, symbolized by the character's form: the left radical '人' (rén) represents a person, while the right '從' shows the flow of movement. Visualize them moving together in a line, emphasizing 'following from'.
Meanings of 從
cóng(cong2)
1from, by, since, whence, through
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 從
從Simplified
11Strokes
彳Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 從
Podcast: 從
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 從
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person following a path 'from' one place to another, symbolized by the character's form: the left radical '人' (rén) represents a person, while the right '從' shows the flow of movement. Visualize them moving together in a line, emphasizing 'following from'.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 'cóng' is pronounced with a rising tone. Common mistakes include using it interchangeably with '在' (zài), which means 'at' or 'in', rather than indicating origin. It often appears in phrases like '從...來' (cóng...lái), meaning 'come from...'.
HSK Study Tips
While 從 is not included in HSK lists, it connects well with other directional words like 到 (dào, 'to') and 往 (wǎng, 'towards'). Students should practice its use in context to reinforce understanding of movement and origin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of origin is significant, especially in discussions about family lineage and traditions. The use of 從 in phrases reflects a deep respect for one's roots and heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 從 with 到 (dào). For example, saying '我到家裡' (I go to home) instead of '我從家裡出發' (I set out from home) can lead to misunderstandings about direction and origin.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 從
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 從 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 從 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 從
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of origin is significant, especially in discussions about family lineage and traditions. The use of 從 in phrases reflects a deep respect for one's roots and heritage.
Word Family of 從
Words Containing This Character20
从cóngfrom從
从来cóngláialways從來
从没cóngméinever did從沒
从而cóng’érthus從而
自从zìcóngsince (a time)自從
从未cóngwèinever從未
从事cóngshìto go for從事
从此cóngcǐfrom now on從此
从小cóngxiǎofrom childhood從小
从不cóngbùnever從不
从前cóngqiánpreviously從前
从中cóngzhōngfrom within從中
服从fúcóngto comply服從
从来不cóngláibùnever從來不
从头cóngtóuanew從頭
从容cóngróngto go easy從容
听从tīngcóngto heed聽從
从业人员employee從業人員
无从not to have access無從
从头到尾from start to finish從頭到尾
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 从 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 從
You can use 從 to indicate the starting point of an action, such as '我從家裡出發' (I set out from home).
No, 從 can also refer to abstract concepts, such as time, e.g., '從去年開始' (since last year).
'由' focuses more on the means or agent of an action, while 從 emphasizes the origin or starting point.
