Fixed pattern “从……起”

In Chinese the pattern “从……起” (cóng... qǐ) means the same as “从……开始” — “starting from …”.

It is mostly used to point to a time.

It usually stands at the start of the sentence and works as an adverbial.

Basic Structure

从 + time / event + 起，+ clause

Starting from …

Examples

他从那时起就努力学习

Structure

从 + 那时 + 起 + 就努力学习 from + that time + on + studied hard 他 — he 从那时起 — from that time on 就 — from then on 努力学习 — to study hard

从那天起，我们就变成了好朋友

Structure

从 + 那天 + 起，+ 我们就变成了好朋友 from + that day + on + we became good friends 从那天起 — from that day on 我们 — we 就变成了 — became, from then on 好朋友 — good friends

从那次旅游起，我对中国文化更有兴趣了

Structure

从 + 那次旅游 + 起，+ 我对中国文化更有兴趣了 from + that trip + on + I became even more interested in Chinese culture 从那次旅游起 — since that trip 我 — I 对中国文化 — in Chinese culture 更有兴趣了 — have become even more interested

Quick Rule

从 + time / event + 起

Meaning: it shows a state or action beginning from a given time or event.

Examples:

从那时起cóng nà shí qǐfrom that time on

从那天起cóng nà tiān qǐfrom that day on

从那次旅游起cóng nà cì lǚyóu qǐsince that trip