What does 从 mean in Chinese?

从 (cóng) means "from; through; via; to follow; to obey; to engage in (an activity); never (in negative sentence); (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) retainer; assistant; accomplice; related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor" in Chinese. It is an HSK Level 1 word.

How do you pronounce 从?

从 is pronounced "cóng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 从?

从 is an HSK Level 1 word (HSK 2.0: Level 6, HSK 3.0: Level 1).

What words contain the character 从?

Common words with 从 include 从不 (never), 主从 (master-slave (computing)), 人从 (retinue), 任从 (at one's discretion), 侍从 (chamberlain (in imperial China)).

How do you write 从?

You can practice writing 从 using our stroke order tool.

从 (cóng), from

从

cóng

from; through; via; to follow

HSK 1verb

Traditional: 從

Character Breakdown

Radical: 人 (no. 9)Traditional: 從

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) from
through
via
to follow
to obey
to engage in (an activity)
never (in negative sentence)
(Taiwan pr. [zong4]) retainer
assistant
accomplice
related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor

Example Sentences

从今天开始。

Cóng jīntiān kāishǐ

Starting from today

Words Containing 从

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
从不	cóng bù	never	HSK 6
主从	zhǔ cóng	master-slave (computing)
人从	rén cóng	retinue
任从	rèn cóng	at one's discretion
侍从	shì cóng	chamberlain (in imperial China)
依从	yī cóng	to comply with
信从	xìn cóng	to trust and obey
尊从	zūn cóng	to obey
屈从	qū cóng	to capitulate
师从	shī cóng	to study under (a teacher)

Showing 10 of 20 · View all words with 从 →

Related Words

从来(cóng lái)· always

→

天无绝人之路(tiān wú jué rén zhī lù)· Heaven never bars one's way (idiom); don't despair and you will find a way through.

→

尊从(zūn cóng)· to obey

→

承上起下(chéng shàng qǐ xià)· to follow the past and herald the future (idiom); part of a historical transition

→

Grammar Notes

Same As (跟...一样)HSK 2

A 跟/和 B 一样 (+ Adjective)

From...To (从...到)HSK 2

从 + Starting Point + 到 + Ending Point

Compound Directional ComplementsHSK 3

Verb + Direction (上/下/进/出/回/过/起) + 来/去

Towards (向)HSK 3

向 + Direction/Person + Verb

HSK & Exam Info

HSK 2.0: Level 6HSK 3.0: Level 1

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

从