From… to…
从...到... (cóng...dào...) is used in the same way as "from ... to ...", and as in English, it can be used both for times and places.
Time
To express from one time to another, the following structure is used:
Subject + 从 + Time 1 + 到 + Time 2
- 从 一号 到 五号,我 在 北京。
- 他 从 七点 到 十点 都 在 上网。
- 我们 从 早 到 晚 都 在 喝 啤酒。
This is the easiest way to talk about doing something from one time through to another. Remember that there are two options for the word order of time words, so the 从 ... 到 ... phrase can go before or after the subject.
Place
The 从...到 structure can also be used to express from one place to another, and is used
Subject + 从 + Place 1 + 到 + Place 2
Here are some examples:
- 请问,从 超级 市场 到 银行 怎么 走?
- 我 开车 从 地铁 站 到 学校。
- 从 酒吧 到 酒店 有 多 远?
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 84-5) →buy
- Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 112 - 113) →buy
- Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 1 (博雅汉语初经起步篇) (pp. 89) →buy