B1 · Grammar reference · ASG59C66
Comparing "li" and "cong"
Both 离 (lí) and 从 (cóng) can be translated into English as "from." In Chinese, however, their meanings are different. 从 is used in cases where the subject's position relative to a fixed location changes. 离 expresses a "static" distance, or a distance that is unchanging. Both can be used in defining distance or time, however 从 has more meanings than 离.
- Keywords
- 从 · 离 · from
- Used for
- Expressing distance · Expressing location · Giving directions · Describing places
- Classification
- —
Examples (13)
从下个月起，公司会越来越忙。
从我上小学开始，就特别喜欢画画。
从那以后，我们就没有联系了。
从今以后，我不用再加班了。
你是不是从我包里拿了一百块钱？
我从他身上学到了很多东西。
从这件事可以看出你的工作态度。
你家离公司多远？
我家离公司很远。
上次见面离今天快十年了。
离我们的婚礼还有两个星期。
离毕业还有几个月。
我们刚刚开始谈恋爱，离结婚还远呢。
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Summary, structure, classification, and adapted sentence examples draw from the AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; changes were made. This noncommercial reference is based on an October 2023 snapshot.
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