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自从 (自從)

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Collins Chinese-English Dictionary

自从 [zìcóng]
  1. 1. preposition since

Comprehensive Chinese-English Dictionary

自从 [zìcóng]
  1. 1. from; since; ever
    自从去年秋天到现在
    from last autumn till now; since last fall

Contemporary Standard Chinese Dictionary

自从 [zìcóng]
  1. 1. 引进行为或状况的起始时间
    自从进了幼儿园,孩子懂事多了。

Examples

自从盘古开天地
since Pan Gu separated heaven and earth; since the beginning of the world
自从看了武侠小说,他就迷上了八卦拳。
He has been crazy about Ba Gua Quan ever since he read stories about swordsmen.
自从成为逋逃,他整日过着提心吊胆的生活。
He has lived a life of fear since the day he became a fugitive.
自从那次车祸后,他的腿就再也不吃劲了。
After the traffic accident, his legs can't bear much weight.
自从有了打卡机,迟到早退现象就少多了。
Since the time clocks were installed much less people have come late, or left early.
自从在山顶上安放了电视差转台,居民可以接收到稳定的电视信号了。
Since a television transposer station was installed on the mountain peak, residents have been able to receive stable television signals.
自从右臂骨折后,他一直戴着吊带。
He has always worn a bandage since the fracture of his right arm.
自从父亲去世后,他一直丁忧在家。
He has been keeping vigil beside the coffin since his father's death.
自从见到她以后,他整天丢魂落魄。
He has been preoccupied with her ever since he met her.

Word Decomposition


[zì]
+
[cóng]

nciku Note

Prepositions as conveyors of time

Prepositions as conveyors of time

A preposition is used before an object, noun, pronoun or a phrase, to form a phrase that describes a place, position, direction, method, time, object, aim, or the passive voice. Prepositional phrases can be used as adverbial adjuncts, objects, attributives or compliments. Normal prepositions that convey time such as “从” cóng, “自” , “自从” zìcóng, “由” yóu, “打” , “在” zài, “当” dāng, “于” are placed before time words. “当” is often used with “的时候” de shíhou together to form an adverbial adjunct.
(1) 他6岁开始坚持每天锻炼身体。
(2) 他自从)那天就再也没有迟到过。
(3) 这家银行营业时间:9点到17点。
(4) 昨天起他就觉得头痛。
(5) 我想起他的时候,他已经不见了。
(6) 新中国成立1949年。

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Diffrence between 从 and 自从


by Sirus

2009.05.23 3 0 Good 8 / Bad 3

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