從

From/since (Formal)

Level 4Sounds Like cung4

從 (cung4) is a formal preposition meaning 'from' or 'since'. While 由 (jau4) is the default for physical movement in casual speech, 從 (cung4) is the standard choice for logical transitions, time-based starting points, and many fixed expressions.

How It Works

1. Register and Usage
從 (cung4) belongs to a more formal register than 由 (jau4). While you might use 由 (jau4) to talk about traveling from one place to another in daily life, 從 (cung4) is preferred for logical transitions (e.g., 'From this point, we can see...') and formal time markers. It is not 'rare' in speech, but rather specific to these more structured contexts.

2. The Agent Distinction (Crucial Difference)
Unlike 由 (jau4), 從 (cung4) cannot be used to introduce the person performing an action (meaning 'by'). For example, to say 'This matter is handled by him', you must use 由 (jau4) (由佢負責 jau4 keoi5 fu6 zaak3), never 從 (cung4).

3. Common Structures

  • 從...到... (cung4... dou3...): 'From... to...' (e.g., 從香港到北京 cung4 hoeng1 gong2 dou3 bak1 ging1 'From Hong Kong to Beijing'). In casual speech, 由...到... is more common. For physical travel, it is most natural to replace 到 (dou3) with 去 (heoi3) (e.g., 由香港去北京 jau4 hoeng1 gong2 heoi3 bak1 ging1).
  • 從...開始 (cung4... hoi1 ci2) / 從...起 (cung4... hei2): 'Starting from [a time]' (e.g., 從聽日開始 cung4 ting1 jat6 hoi1 ci2 or 從聽日起 cung4 ting1 jat6 hei2 'Starting from tomorrow'). Note that in casual speech, 由聽日開始 (jau4 ting1 jat6 hoi1 ci2) is the standard colloquial way to express time starting points.
  • 從...嚟睇 (cung4... lai4 tai2): 'Looking from [a perspective]...'. In very formal contexts, this becomes 從...來看 (cung4... loi4 hon3). In casual street Cantonese, 喺我角度嚟睇 (hai2 ngo5 gok3 dou6 lai4 tai2) is common.
  • 從中 (cung4 zung1): 'From within' or 'from which' (e.g., 從中學習 cung4 zung1 hok6 zaap6 'learn from [within] it').

4. The Role of 喺 (hai2)
Learners often use 喺 (hai2) to mean 'from'. However, 喺 (hai2) primarily means 'at'. It functions as 'from' when paired with a directional verb like 嚟 (lai4) or 去 (heoi3), or with verbs of extraction, removal, or departure (e.g., 攞 lo2 'take', 出發 ceot1 faat3 'depart', 跌 dit3 'fall'). Crucially, when taking something from a person, Cantonese requires the 喺 + [Person] + 度 pattern (e.g., 喺佢度攞 hai2 keoi5 dou6 lo2 'take it from him'). Omitting the 度 (dou6) in this context is ungrammatical. For a general 'from' preposition, 由 (jau4) or 從 (cung4) is more reliable.

5. Fixed Expressions
從 (cung4) is the standard choice for several essential phrases used in all registers:

6. As a Verb
While primarily used as a preposition, 從 (cung4) can also function as a verb meaning 'to follow' or 'to comply' in certain compound words. Common examples include 服從 (fuk6 cung4 'to obey') and 跟從 (gan1 cung4 'to follow').

Examples (4)

  1. 從香港到北京要坐幾個鐘頭飛機？

    How many hours does it take to fly from Hong Kong to Beijing?

    Word by Word: From Hong Kong to Beijing need sit how-many [classifier] hour airplane?

    This uses the standard '從...到...' (cung4... dou3...) structure for physical distance.

  2. 從我嘅角度嚟睇，呢件事係佢唔啱。

    From my perspective, he is the one in the wrong in this matter.

    Word by Word: From my [possessive] angle come see, this [classifier] matter is him not right.

    從 (cung4) is the preferred choice for abstract origins like a 'perspective' (角度 gok3 dou6).

  3. 我從舊年開始學廣東話。

    I have been learning Cantonese since last year.

    Word by Word: I from last-year start learn Cantonese.

    Here, 從 (cung4) marks a starting point in time, paired with 開始 (hoi1 ci2 - to start).

  4. 從聽日起，我會準時返工。

    Starting from tomorrow, I will go to work on time.

    Word by Word: From tomorrow start, I will punctual return-work.

    A formal or professional resolution using 從...起 (cung4... hei2) for a future time point.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 從 in casual, everyday physical movement.

    Different Meaning我從屋企嚟。
    我由屋企嚟。

    我從屋企嚟 is understood, but 從 (cung4) is the written-style word and sounds bookish for coming home in everyday speech. In daily conversation, 由 (jau4) is the usual colloquial 'from'.

  • Using 喺 when you mean ‘from’.

    Different Meaning我喺香港。
    我由香港嚟。

    我喺香港 is a good sentence, but it only means ‘I am in Hong Kong’. To say where you come from, use 由 (jau4) with 嚟: 我由香港嚟. (喺 can also mean ‘from’ with 嚟, as in 我喺香港嚟.)

  • Placing the 'from' phrase at the end of the sentence.

    我學廣東話從舊年。
    我從舊年開始學廣東話。

    In Cantonese, prepositional phrases indicating the starting point (from where/when) must come before the verb, not after it as in English.

How It Connects

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從Level 4From/since (Formal)

Learn This First

從 is a formal preposition meaning 'from' or 'since'. It functions identically to the colloquial '由' but is used in more formal contexts or written Cantonese. To use it correctly, learners should already be familiar with how Cantonese marks starting points and the general concept of formal versus informal registers.

Words in This Pattern

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