Expressing "ever since" with "zicong"
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Used for
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Keywords
自从 means "ever since" in English, and is used to express the starting point of an action in the past. It can be followed by phrases using the markers 起 and 以后.
When you need to use 以来 in a more formal or written context, you can add 自, 从, or 自从 (or other similar words) before the time or event to make it into a "sandwich pattern."
Contents
Basic Usage of "zicong"
自从 is used to mark a starting point in time. The same meaning can be expressed with just 从, but 自从 is more formal.
Structure
自从 + [Starting Point] , ……
Examples
- 自从 来 到 湖南,我 越来越 能 吃 辣 了。Ever since arriving in Hunan I've been more and more able to eat spicy food.
- 自从 金融 危机 爆发,就业 市场 越来越 不 景气 了 。Ever since the economic crisis hit the job market has gotten worse and worse.
- 自从 吵 完 架,两 个 人 再 也 没有 说 过 话。Since their fight the two of them haven't spoken at all.
Common Mistakes
In the above examples, 从 can be used interchangeably with 自从. The main difference is that 从 can also be used to state starting points in the future, a little like "from" in English. 自从 cannot be used in this way.
- 从 明天 开始,我 要 认真 看 书。从 can be used for future times.
- 自从 明天 开始,我 要 认真 看 书。自从 cannot.Starting from tomorrow, I'm going to study seriously.
Note that 从 can be used to denote starting points in place and time, whereas 自从 can only be used to express starting points in time.
- 从 我 家 到 机场 的 距离 是 一 百 公里 。从 can be used for physical distances.
- 自从 我 家 到 机场 的 距离 是 一 百 公里 。自从 cannot.From my home to the airport, the distance is 100 kilometers.
Alternatives to "zicong" and Adding "yilai"
Structure
从 / 自从 / 自 + Time / Event + (以)后 / 以来
These words all mean "from," with 从 the least formal, 自从 noticeably more formal, and 自 the most formal. At the end of the structure, 以后 is the least formal, followed by 后, with 以来 the most formal.
Examples
- 自从 他 跟 我 分手 后 ,他 就 没有 联系 过 我。Ever since he broke up with me he hasn't contacted me.
- 自从 用 手机 付款 后 ,我 很 少 带 现金 出门 。Ever since I've started using my phone to pay for stuff I rarely take cash when I go out.
- 从 他 爸爸 去世 以来 ,他 一直 没 回 过 家 。He hasn't returned home since his father passed away.
- 从 毕业 以来,她 一直 在 教 汉语 。She has been teaching Chinese since she graduated.
- 自 改革 开放 以来 ,中国 社会 发生 了 巨大 的 变化 。Tremendous changes have been taking place in China since the reform and opening up to the outside world.
- 自从 妹妹 出生 以来 ,妈妈 就 更 忙 了 。Ever since my little sister was born, mom has been busier than ever.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books